[TC11] Beside The Spotlight
Beside The Spotlight
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Henry/Xiumin
Genre: AU!Romance/Minor!Fluff
Summary: Like ripples to a pond, it takes just one word to cause the reaction, whether intended or not. Henry enjoys creating them, Xiumin prefers just observing.
// Whispers //
“And what color is the sky?” Xiumin pauses with a beaming smile. “That’s right, blue!”
It sounds almost ridiculous, but it’s phrases Xiumin’s used to saying and is trained well in for each of these recordings.
“Cut, Xiumin that was great, now it’s Luna’s turn.”
Xiumin departed the friendly stage and hits the paved floors. He’s careful as he checks over his lines, his make-up brushed up. He's quite good at drowning out sounds when he’s focused, and with constant practice, he masters appearing as if he wasn’t listening. Those around him take this as their cue. There, a few whispers begin and soon reached his ears from those around him.
Is it true he got his role because of him?
I don’t think so.
How do we know?
“Xiumin, time for the ending credits.” He hears and joins his co-lead on the stage, posing brightly right on cue.
Due to his cute demeanor, he was perfect for these children series. There were always other candidates, and despite their increasing ratings and fame, some of the workers assumed it’d go to someone newer, a fresh face. They begin with a simple question on how he might have gotten the role, and that mild curiosity eventually becomes a wild rumor that the actor coerces some producer to land him this job.
It’s not his time to retire just yet, Xiumin thinks honestly as he considers his prospects. And rather than being hurt by their gossip, he thinks it over during his spare time in his high chair.
There were a few things that were right.
The person was a producer. He was a man. And lastly, they were together.
Some things, however, were wrong with that too. First, Henry wasn’t in charge of his show or had any relation to it whatsoever, and their sleeping together had nothing to do with his contracts.
The fact that they genuinely liked each other might have been a little too difficult for any of them to comprehend. But in this industry, it was easy to be skeptic of any relationship when mostly every aspect had an ulterior motive. This part of it held a nice, chaste impression to on-lookers, and though it appears a little friendlier than the rest, it holds the same sentiments.
Xiumin checks his cell that beeps, and smiles at the message and can hear the other’s exhausted voice.
”Miss you already.”
-
When Xiumin walks to that booth, he knows no one recognizes him just yet from these crowds, and it’s safe for a while. For protection he still wears a beanie and covers his face with his scarf, the winter was thankfully a good excuse.
Henry greeted with his hand held high, waiting for Xiumin to slide into the circular private booth.
“Hi,” Xiumin greets. Henry squints his eyes and reaches to tug down his scarf from his face but Xiumin slaps his hand away.
“Keeping up your image is a pain,” Henry mutters, taking a bite into his dinner.
“Just like yours.” Xiumin replies. Henry had his own reputation as a producer, being seen with him, while it may not hurt his career, could impact his connections. Those were vital in their line of work.
Henry scoffed and reminds sportively, “Yours at greater risk.”
“And yet I’m still here, aren’t I?” Xiumin defends quite proudly. Henry still holds his stubborn expression until he folds.
“I guess.” Henry concedes, and the corner of his lips raise at Xiumin’s obscured grin hidden behind his scarf. He only takes it down when his food comes and the waiter leaves, there were precautions that had to be made.
Being seen at a place like this was a gamble in case some camera caught sight of them, and eventually their dates diminish as Xiumin's fame grows.
It’s weighed out though, as the two continually meet at the safety of his apartment. They find it isn’t bad at all, and act a lot more relaxed around each other.
“I heard your contracts were up,” Henry says as he steals a cherry from Xiumin’s bowl. Xiumin glowers and finishes the cherries atop his ice cream.
“If you want some, I offered.”
“I didn’t know I wanted it till just now,” Henry counters, pulling the stem from his lips as they nestle closely on the couch.
“Story of your life,” Xiumin says as he takes a bite and Henry nudges his head. “And don’t worry, I’m good for this year. Although, not like the thought hasn't come across my mind. All actors have their time, right?"
Henry muses the thought and listens. Xiumin continues and eats calmly, "I accepted it, I can only keep their interest for so long. Eventually they’ll find someone to replace me, or find a new show to fill my segment's slot.”
“Your co-lead is leaving right?”
“Yup, she decided to pursue some activities abroad.”
“You ever thought about doing the same?” Henry asks seriously, resuming his producer role. Xiumin thinks it over.
The fact that he worked as an idol and role model for children made it difficult to act outside his boundaries. His co-star acted cute but had a mature face. Xiumin, on the other hand, was still fancied for this line of work. “I doubt anyone’s going to want to star me anytime soon.”
“I could ask around. I’m sure if I start showing interest in you, eventually my hushed word would get around. Others will follow suit.” Henry whispers, as if it were a secret no one could know. “I could make you the most sought actor in Asia with just one little whisper.”
How manipulative. Xiumin chuckles, “I’m fine. It’s stressful anyway, I’d rather be a child’s memory than some industry outcast. If I have to be replaced, then that’s how it’ll be.”
Henry leans and presses his forehead against Xiumin’s head. “You won’t have to worry about that with me.” And kisses him to seal his word.
When he’s done with his dessert, Xiumin's pulled up from the couch and is standing in the center of the living room, waiting for Henry to set the camera.
“Almost done," Henry murmurs every so often, still tweaking the settings of the camera.
"Cute," Xiumin mentions quietly at Henry's focus. It may have just been an ordinary camera, but Henry didn't take them lightly.
"Hmm?"
"Nothing," Xiumin says in regular volume.
Xiumin stood waiting as Henry announces it's prepared. Henry stood behind the camera. “And remember, count to three!” Henry says in exaggerated excitement with his arms spread wide and all around.
“I’d rather not be mocked.” Xiumin deadpans to Henry who smiles and hurries beside him, keeping him snug to his side as the camera flashes.
His fans would one day grow up, that was a fact he was well aware of. The audiences change, the companies expect different and new and eventually he’d be a form of nostalgia.
Henry would continue to be respected, form more connections and encourage the industry from behind the scenes. Though his goals change seasonally depending on a number of factors, Henry still reminds him often that he needs Xiumin around. He looks to the other for support and care, these photos as keepsakes he likes having around.
Xiumin doesn't mind having to leave the spotlight one day and takes his job in stride. What he was thankful for most from all the opportunities he's had was getting the chance to meet him, and is more than grateful.
“Good morning everyone!”
The loud voice wakes him up.
Xiumin opens his eyes to the sound of the television and sees his show airing so early that morning. He lifts his head, briefly ruining his comfortable position and sees Henry’s elbow nudging the remote in his sleep. The television refuses to turn off and Xiumin just settles for the mute button in haste.
In unusual yet sweet silence, Xiumin lies back down against Henry’s chest, settling on the couch as morning greets everyone else, leaving them peacefully be.
Eventually they’d walk straight out into the world without care, it was a long while till it’s possible. Until then, the two are fine with being just like this.
rssj1314's No Good News | Henry/Xiumin
[ Previous: Donghae/Sungmin (Rain)] | [ Next: Lay/Chen (Fog)]
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Henry/Xiumin
Genre: AU!Romance/Minor!Fluff
Summary: Like ripples to a pond, it takes just one word to cause the reaction, whether intended or not. Henry enjoys creating them, Xiumin prefers just observing.
// Whispers //
“And what color is the sky?” Xiumin pauses with a beaming smile. “That’s right, blue!”
It sounds almost ridiculous, but it’s phrases Xiumin’s used to saying and is trained well in for each of these recordings.
“Cut, Xiumin that was great, now it’s Luna’s turn.”
Xiumin departed the friendly stage and hits the paved floors. He’s careful as he checks over his lines, his make-up brushed up. He's quite good at drowning out sounds when he’s focused, and with constant practice, he masters appearing as if he wasn’t listening. Those around him take this as their cue. There, a few whispers begin and soon reached his ears from those around him.
Is it true he got his role because of him?
I don’t think so.
How do we know?
“Xiumin, time for the ending credits.” He hears and joins his co-lead on the stage, posing brightly right on cue.
Due to his cute demeanor, he was perfect for these children series. There were always other candidates, and despite their increasing ratings and fame, some of the workers assumed it’d go to someone newer, a fresh face. They begin with a simple question on how he might have gotten the role, and that mild curiosity eventually becomes a wild rumor that the actor coerces some producer to land him this job.
It’s not his time to retire just yet, Xiumin thinks honestly as he considers his prospects. And rather than being hurt by their gossip, he thinks it over during his spare time in his high chair.
There were a few things that were right.
The person was a producer. He was a man. And lastly, they were together.
Some things, however, were wrong with that too. First, Henry wasn’t in charge of his show or had any relation to it whatsoever, and their sleeping together had nothing to do with his contracts.
The fact that they genuinely liked each other might have been a little too difficult for any of them to comprehend. But in this industry, it was easy to be skeptic of any relationship when mostly every aspect had an ulterior motive. This part of it held a nice, chaste impression to on-lookers, and though it appears a little friendlier than the rest, it holds the same sentiments.
Xiumin checks his cell that beeps, and smiles at the message and can hear the other’s exhausted voice.
”Miss you already.”
-
When Xiumin walks to that booth, he knows no one recognizes him just yet from these crowds, and it’s safe for a while. For protection he still wears a beanie and covers his face with his scarf, the winter was thankfully a good excuse.
Henry greeted with his hand held high, waiting for Xiumin to slide into the circular private booth.
“Hi,” Xiumin greets. Henry squints his eyes and reaches to tug down his scarf from his face but Xiumin slaps his hand away.
“Keeping up your image is a pain,” Henry mutters, taking a bite into his dinner.
“Just like yours.” Xiumin replies. Henry had his own reputation as a producer, being seen with him, while it may not hurt his career, could impact his connections. Those were vital in their line of work.
Henry scoffed and reminds sportively, “Yours at greater risk.”
“And yet I’m still here, aren’t I?” Xiumin defends quite proudly. Henry still holds his stubborn expression until he folds.
“I guess.” Henry concedes, and the corner of his lips raise at Xiumin’s obscured grin hidden behind his scarf. He only takes it down when his food comes and the waiter leaves, there were precautions that had to be made.
Being seen at a place like this was a gamble in case some camera caught sight of them, and eventually their dates diminish as Xiumin's fame grows.
It’s weighed out though, as the two continually meet at the safety of his apartment. They find it isn’t bad at all, and act a lot more relaxed around each other.
“I heard your contracts were up,” Henry says as he steals a cherry from Xiumin’s bowl. Xiumin glowers and finishes the cherries atop his ice cream.
“If you want some, I offered.”
“I didn’t know I wanted it till just now,” Henry counters, pulling the stem from his lips as they nestle closely on the couch.
“Story of your life,” Xiumin says as he takes a bite and Henry nudges his head. “And don’t worry, I’m good for this year. Although, not like the thought hasn't come across my mind. All actors have their time, right?"
Henry muses the thought and listens. Xiumin continues and eats calmly, "I accepted it, I can only keep their interest for so long. Eventually they’ll find someone to replace me, or find a new show to fill my segment's slot.”
“Your co-lead is leaving right?”
“Yup, she decided to pursue some activities abroad.”
“You ever thought about doing the same?” Henry asks seriously, resuming his producer role. Xiumin thinks it over.
The fact that he worked as an idol and role model for children made it difficult to act outside his boundaries. His co-star acted cute but had a mature face. Xiumin, on the other hand, was still fancied for this line of work. “I doubt anyone’s going to want to star me anytime soon.”
“I could ask around. I’m sure if I start showing interest in you, eventually my hushed word would get around. Others will follow suit.” Henry whispers, as if it were a secret no one could know. “I could make you the most sought actor in Asia with just one little whisper.”
How manipulative. Xiumin chuckles, “I’m fine. It’s stressful anyway, I’d rather be a child’s memory than some industry outcast. If I have to be replaced, then that’s how it’ll be.”
Henry leans and presses his forehead against Xiumin’s head. “You won’t have to worry about that with me.” And kisses him to seal his word.
When he’s done with his dessert, Xiumin's pulled up from the couch and is standing in the center of the living room, waiting for Henry to set the camera.
“Almost done," Henry murmurs every so often, still tweaking the settings of the camera.
"Cute," Xiumin mentions quietly at Henry's focus. It may have just been an ordinary camera, but Henry didn't take them lightly.
"Hmm?"
"Nothing," Xiumin says in regular volume.
Xiumin stood waiting as Henry announces it's prepared. Henry stood behind the camera. “And remember, count to three!” Henry says in exaggerated excitement with his arms spread wide and all around.
“I’d rather not be mocked.” Xiumin deadpans to Henry who smiles and hurries beside him, keeping him snug to his side as the camera flashes.
His fans would one day grow up, that was a fact he was well aware of. The audiences change, the companies expect different and new and eventually he’d be a form of nostalgia.
Henry would continue to be respected, form more connections and encourage the industry from behind the scenes. Though his goals change seasonally depending on a number of factors, Henry still reminds him often that he needs Xiumin around. He looks to the other for support and care, these photos as keepsakes he likes having around.
Xiumin doesn't mind having to leave the spotlight one day and takes his job in stride. What he was thankful for most from all the opportunities he's had was getting the chance to meet him, and is more than grateful.
“Good morning everyone!”
The loud voice wakes him up.
Xiumin opens his eyes to the sound of the television and sees his show airing so early that morning. He lifts his head, briefly ruining his comfortable position and sees Henry’s elbow nudging the remote in his sleep. The television refuses to turn off and Xiumin just settles for the mute button in haste.
In unusual yet sweet silence, Xiumin lies back down against Henry’s chest, settling on the couch as morning greets everyone else, leaving them peacefully be.
Eventually they’d walk straight out into the world without care, it was a long while till it’s possible. Until then, the two are fine with being just like this.
rssj1314's No Good News | Henry/Xiumin
[ Previous: Donghae/Sungmin (Rain)] | [ Next: Lay/Chen (Fog)]