"And that's a wrap!" Dillon called from across the stage.
Rory blew out a long, exhausted sigh as he let his arms and legs fall, lax against the mattress. He puffed out a breath as Rin crumpled atop him and wrapped his arms uncomfortably under his back. "Is it always like this?" He muttered, trying to distract himself from the awkwardness still lingering from the scene they'd just finished.
Rin rolled to the side and pulled Rory with him. He adjusted Rory so that Rory would be fully covered without any limbs caught or bound in the sheets or robes around them before he answered. "No, usually we schedule the shoots out so that it's broken down into parts. Typically, we only do one or two scenes in a full day of work. We just had to shoot several scenes in one night." Rin brushed a few stray strands of hair from Rory's brow as he added. "You did great, though. I'm proud of you. You've seriously pulled through for us on this, especially with it being your first time."
Rory could feel a deep blush creep across his features as he buried his face into Rin's neck. The snap of a camera pulled his attention away from the conversation, however. His head snapped around to see Dillon grinning at them from his camera.
"I couldn't resist. This one will be a big hit, I just know it." Dillon sent them a wink before letting the camera fall into place around his neck. "If the two of you are..." He arched a brow, a smirk curved his lips before he finished, "Ready to move this to another location, I'm packed."
Rin nodded as he released his hold on Rory and pushed himself up from the bed. Rin groaned as he tugged at the silicone chest piece. "Alright... I'm past ready to get this off... I hit swamp ass under here three hours ago." Rin grumbled as he slid off the bed and tugged the robes back into place.
Rory followed him with his eyes as he tugged on his own discarded clothing. The last scene was an extra spicy scene. Luckily for Rory, they had opted to cut the most intense part of the scene this time around, given that the stage was so public and they didn't have the right props. Rory's cheeks heated when he realized what Rin was wearing. "You... you're wearing that back to the room?"
Rin chuckled. "Yeah, Dillon is going to take some more pictures along the way. We figured it would be good publicity as well with the way our fans keep taking pics and videos and sharing them on socials." Rin shot him a wink as he held open the unzipped hoodie. "Plus, if I'm going to wear this uncomfortable, hot ass bitch... might as well get the most out of it."
Rory frowned. "If it's so bad, then why wear it?" His eyes moved over Rin's well-toned body. "You're fit enough on your own without it..."
Dillon snorted out a laugh as he grabbed his bags and turned away, shaking his head as he did. He began humming a tune before singing, gradually getting louder as Rin and Rory joined him. "You got a cold, cold heart..." His eyes sparkled with mischief as they trained on Rin and Rory as he sang beautifully. "You build a house of cards... I know all your secrets, I know all your lies. I know where you keep'em. Buried deep inside. No, you can't hide your secrets and lies."
Rory bit his lip as he glanced awkwardly between Dillon and Rin, who seemed to be having a stare-down. "Um... You have a beautiful singing voice..."
Rin narrowed his eyes. "Yes... truly enchanting..." Before Rin could say more, a group of fans ran up to them, phones in hand.
"Your performances earlier were amazing! Can we get pictures with you guys?"
Rin forced a smile as he nodded toward Dillon. "Yes, of course. Just hand him your phones, and he'll take them for you."
The girls in the group began springing up and down in joy, but Rory couldn't pull his attention from a shy boy in the back. The timid kid clung to his phone and didn't step forward with the rest, even though it was obvious he longed for a photo as well. Rory couldn't help it as his eyes continued to wander to the lone kid throughout the many flashes and snaps.
"Ok, here comes the video. Is everyone ready? Rory?"
Rory forced his troubled gaze back to Dillon and the many phones that he was switching between... but the boy in his peripheral still caught his attention. As the crowd began to disperse, Rory tugged at the hem of Rin's hoodie and nodded toward the boy. "Please... do you think... maybe..."
A sweet smile spread across Rin's face as he turned and brushed a phantom lash from Rory's cheek. "Anything for you, my prince." Rin lifted his head and nodded toward the boy. "You, there. Would you like one too?"
The boy's blush deepened as he swallowed hard and tightened his hold on his phone. "I... I would... It's just that..."
"It's just that his parents don't know that he's gay and likes this kinda thing..." One of the other girls spoke up. She caught his hand and tugged him forward. "We told him it's fine to be himself and like what he likes though..."
Tears began to burn Rory's eyes as he watched the other girls nod in agreement and pull their friend into a tight embrace. "It... It's hard... sometimes... especially when it's your parents..." Rory whispered, his voice breaking as silent tears streamed down his cheeks. When the boy's eyes met his, it was all over. Their unspoken words resonated within the others' very souls. Rory had barely taken a step when the boy broke free of his friends and slammed into him in a full-body embrace.
"They would disown me if they knew..." The boy whimpered against Rory's narrow shoulder. "But... but... I can't seem to... to change... I've tried..."
Rin stepped over, one hand wrapped around Rory's waist, and the other patting the boy's head. "Of course not... what is there to change. You are you, and that is perfect." Though Rin's words were meant for the boy, his eyes burned into Rory as he spoke. "What about that picture?" Rin held his hand out for the phone.
The boy nodded, shifting his hold on Rory as he handed Rin his phone. When Rin handed it back, he stared down at the picture for the longest time before finally replying. "I... I'll cherish this..."
"Cherish yourself and your friends as well. You are important, and there will always be those in your life who will find you and your worth. Just remember that when you fall into darkness." Rin said as he smiled down at the boy, but his eyes continued to roam over to Rory. His words caused the group of girls to go wild with glee as they rushed their friend and showered him with affection. Rin gave the group a slight bow before tightening his hold on Rory. "Now, if you guys will excuse us. We have a very busy night ahead, still."
Dillon shot them a wink as he lifted his camera.
One of the girls covered her mouth. "Are you guys still working this late?"
Rin didn't have to work hard to forge exhaustion. "We are. All our shots for the event were with the original model, who was a no-show for the event. Luckily, my assistant here has stepped in and saved the day."
The group's eyes widened, but it was the shy boy who spoke out this time. "You... you mean it wasn't his... his role?" His attention moved to Rory. "But you were so good... are so..."
Rory blushed. "I..."
Rin stepped in, his arm slinking lower on Rory's hip. "Rory here, didn't like the writing of my last novel, called it too shallow... all smut and no love... The original draft of this novel was..." Rin sent Rory a toothy smirk. "Very much the same in his opinion, so he agreed to work with me to bring more romance into the writing of the story. Thankfully, because of that, he is almost as familiar with it as I am, making it easy for him to step in. You can say the character Mao was crafted for him exclusively at this point..." Rin's eyes roamed over Rory. "You know... We have time tomorrow... why don't we have a sit-down with the audience and talk about the way we developed this latest story... they may like it."
Rory gulped down a wave of nervousness, but before he could reply, the group did for him.
"Really? That would be amazing! Please! You have to! Everyone would love to hear it, especially from the two of you!"
Rin gave them a charming grin. "Then it's decided. We'll see you all tomorrow?"
Rin crashed against the closed door of the hotel as it closed behind them. "I'm two seconds from cutting this fucking thing off... Dillon, come give me a hand, will ya? Rory, be dear and grab me a change of clothes? I'll leave the bathroom unlocked." He didn't wait for Rory to reply as he stomped off toward the bathroom. Dillon tossed the equipment bags onto the sofa and followed with a scoff.
"What if I'd rather leave that part to Rory, too?" Dillon asked as he followed Rin into the bathroom.
"Then I'll cut the fucker off, and you can figure out where to find a new one before tomorrow," Rin growled back as he stuck his tongue out, already tossing the hoodie to the floor.
Dillon shook his head as he shut the door behind him. "You have to tell him eventually. I mean, I think he's going to fucking notice, don't you?"
Rin blew out a sigh as he lowered to the toilet and held up his arms. He groaned as the chest piece was pulled off. "Ahh, gross..." He tugged the compression tank off next and tossed it to the side with a soggy thud before leaning to the side and lifting an arm. "Here, give me a hand. I don't feel like doing it myself today... just fucking get it in one pull."
Dillon frowned down at the binding tape wrapping from Rin's mid back to his chest. "You know it's probably going to take more than that..." He glanced toward the door. "Besides... you sure you want it off?"
Rin arched a brow up at him. "Dude... are you serious right now? What am I supposed to do, wash with it on? I'm sweaty as fuck." Rin was quiet for a few seconds before shrugging. "Besides... I've been without it a few times around him... and he doesn't seem to notice... or if he does... he hasn't said anything..." Rin shrugged again as his eyes met Dillon's. He took Dillon's hands and moved them to his taped-down chest. "Are they... noticeable? Do you think he knows and just hasn't said anything? Am I being overly cautious for no reason?"
Dillon flexed his fingers beneath Rin's hold. He could feel his arousal grow as he licked his lips. His eyes moved over Rin's bare upper body. "I don't know what to tell you... There's only one way to know... Talk to him, Rin... Stop playing all the fucking games you like so much and talk to him..." Dillon pulled his hand away and turned his back on Rin. "You can pull the tape yourself... I know how much you like causing yourself pain."
Rin snorted from the toilet. "Low blow... even for you."
"Yeah... well..." Dillon bent and retrieved the hoodie from the floor. "I'm going to be working on the pictures all night... consider what I said..."
Rory's brows furrowed as Dillon stepped out of the bathroom. It was obvious from the expression on his face that he and Rin had argued about something... nothing overly unusual for the two of them, but for some reason it was becoming more common, and Rory couldn't help but get the feeling he was the cause. His hands froze over Rin's suitcase as he sat back onto the floor and watched Dillon move about the room. He cleared his throat before whispering. "Is... is everything alright?"
Dillon didn't move his focus from the laptop he was setting up on the small hotel desk. "Hunky dory... How's the clothes search going over there?"
Rory shrugged. "It's fine... I... I was honestly just giving him time to get into the shower before I took them in..."
Dillon snorted out a sarcastic laugh. "Don't want to see something you may not like?"
Rory blushed. "I don't think it's anything about looks... It's just... You know how Rin is..."
Dillon narrowed his eyes at the comment but didn't turn away from the computer. "It's not like the two of you haven't done things. Rin tells me... well, everything..." He shrugged. "You can tell me everything too... ask me anything... I know you have questions."
Rory nodded. "I do..." Rory's face blazed with heat as his eyes moved from the clothes in his hand to the pictures Dillon was now sorting on the laptop. "Why the chest piece?"
Dillon turned a wide grin to Rory as he nodded to the clothes in Rory's hand. "Why don't you go find out for yourself?"
Rory swallowed hard as he pushed up from the floor and walked toward the bathroom on trembling legs. He shot Dillon a glance, but all the other man did was egg him onward. Rory's hand shook as he turned the knob. The sound of running water drew his gaze toward the shower, where he could see the outline of Rin's body through the thick white shower curtain. Wide shoulders tapered down into a narrow waist, rounded glutes, and muscular thighs. "Ump." Rory groaned when his foot thudded against a squishy mass on the floor as he involuntarily moved forward. His attention moved down to the chest piece.
"Rory?"
His hands trembled as he lowered the clothes to the sink top and continued forward. "Yea... yeah?..." He watched as Rin moved his head out from under the stream of water and turned toward the curtain.
"Rory? What are you doing out there? You can just leave the clothes and go. I'll deal with everything else when I'm done."
"Oh... Ok..." Rory murmured as he continued forward. His fingers trembled as they gripped the shower curtain hesitantly.
"Rory." The question was now gone from Rin's voice as he repeated his name for a third time. This time warning tinged the singular word. Rin's hand shot out from behind the curtain and clasped Rory's. "What are you thinking right now? If you pull this open, there's no going back... I will have you... Right here, right now..." Rin was quiet for a few moments as he traced a pattern on the top of Rory's hand, giving his words time to resonate. "Is that what you want?" He slid the curtain back enough so that only his head and a tiny portion of his upper body were visible. "It's what I want," Rin whispered huskily.
Rory bit into his bottom lip. "I... I..." He took a step back as he tugged his hand free, shaking his head as he did. "I... I don't know..." He stumbled over the chest piece as he backed out of the room, falling flat on his ass into the hallway.
Dillon arched a brow from the desk chair. "The answers you get that shocking?"
Rory shook his head. "I... I didn't get any..." He shook his head harder, the look of bewilderment encompassing his entire expression. "I'm not ready... not here, not now."
Dillon arched his brow as he glanced back toward the bathroom. "Okay...."
"What?! Just fucking say it already! You're driving me crazy with this shit!" Rin barked out in a hushed growl, his gaze snapping toward the bed to make sure he hadn't disturbed Rory's sleep.
Dillon snorted out a round of hushed laughter. "Nothing... I'm just trying to figure out what you did to freak the kid out so fucking much." He nodded toward the bed. He's been on high alert ever since coming out of the bathroom. Did tits freak him out that much, or did you show him the- Ump!"
Rin shoved both hands over Dillon's mouth to silence him quickly as his head snapped back toward the bed. "Shut the fuck up!" He growled under his breath. "Of fucking course I didn't show him shit! But now I see where the fuck he got the idea to look! You asshole!"
Dillon shrugged, chuckling against Rin's tight hold on his lips.
Rin finally released him and sat back in his seat, obviously irritated. "Why the fuck would you do that?" He shoved Dillon hard before crossing his arms over his chest.
Dillon leaned back in the office chair as he studied Rin. "Because he asked... because you really like him, but you're never going to tell him... and you're going to use it as an excuse to 'not' get too close..." Dillon shrugged. "Which means you'll both end up hurt in the end... he'll quit or be fired... you'll be back to your usual dickhead, man whore ways, and I'm tired of the cycle of destruction."
"So what? You're playing matchmaker instead?" Rin sent him a skeptical glare. "Why? What's in it for you?"
Dillon shrugged. "Who knows... maybe nothing... maybe everything. I love you and want to see you happy. I'll always be by your side in one capacity or another." His eyes shifted to the bed where Rory had been asleep for several hours now. "It would be a lie if I said I haven't gotten... attached to him as well..."
"Attached?"
Dillon shrugged. "I like him..."
Rin tilted his head. "Well enough to fuck him?"
Dillon held his gaze without looking away.
"Well enough to be in a relationship with him?"
Dillon shrugged. "Aren't we already?" He tilted his head to the side and swirled his head around the room. "This fucked up thing your father forces on us all... It's all it's ever been for us. A fucked inescapable relationship of sorts."
Rin nodded. "True enough..." Rin's eyes searched Dillon. "So... If you're with me forever... and I choose to be with him and him with me..."
Dillon shrugged again. "Then I guess I'm with both of you forever... if you'll both have me..."
Rin leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Dillon's waist. "You know... I think I needed to hear that... I think it was less about how he was going to take my news... and more about what it would mean for you and me if he actually accepted me..."
Dillon pulled Rin into his arms as he placed a kiss to the top of his head. "Like I said the first time you asked... I will always be by your side... my heart will always belong to you... in whatever capacity you need me, in whatever way you want me."