Behind The Limelight 33: Stash The ‘Stache

“What’s all this?” Ashton asked, looking at the wide range of items on Ryker’s bed.

“I’ve always wondered how you would look in a ‘stache,” Ryker hummed, grabbing the fake moustache and sticking it above Ashton’s lips. “Alright, no. You look like a ’70s Italian pornstar. Not the most ideal.”

“You still haven’t answered my  question,” Ashton deadpanned, removing the moustache and throwing it back on the bed. “I didn’t know it was Halloween.”

“Don’t you wanna go grab those cheeseburgers?” Ryker replied, still looking over at the things on his bed intently. There were a bunch of wigs, hats, fake beards and so on.

“Oh,” Ashton blinked. They couldn’t just walk into the diner. They would definitely get recognized, especially since it was common knowledge around town that both of them were from there. “Where’d you get this stuff, anyway?”

“Mamãe kept the box of props from my theatre days,” Ryker shrugged nonchalantly. “How do you feel about going ginger?”

“I don’t think—”

“Yeah, you’re right. I don’t think it’d go with your eyes,” Ryker mumbled.

“My eyes? What?” Ashton sighed deeply. “I went out the other day in just a baseball cap and shades. It was fine and I didn’t get spotted. You’re overthinking this.”

“But—”

“We’ll probably stand out more if we go out in cheap, high school theatre disguise. Like come on, this wig does not look real in the slightest. We’ll look ridiculous,” Ashton stated.

“Fine. Let’s just wear sunglasses indoors like we’re a pair of douche bags,” Ryker muttered.

“Now the douche bag look would suit you a lot. You won’t even have to do much to achieve it. You’ll just have to…be yourself!” Ashton exclaimed.

“Ha, ha, you’re hilarious,” Ryker deadpanned. “Fine, then. If people recognize us then don’t go around blaming me, okay?”

“Yeah whatever,” Ashton shook his head dismissively. “I can deal with a few screaming fans. I’ve had years of practice.”

“Fair. I’ll go tell my parents we’re heading out. Meet me at the door in five,” Ryker ordered before leaving Ashton in their room.

Ashton sighed, glancing at the props on the bed once again before picking up the moustache. He stuck it on his face, taking his phone out of his pocket and opening the front camera.

“Huh,” Ashton said to himself. “I definitely would’ve made a hot ’70s Italian pornstar.”

~~~

Dressed in loose t-shirts and shorts, as well as a hat and sunglasses, the two men took Helena’s car to go to the diner. They tried to keep it casual, while also keeping their head low. Once inside, they grabbed the booth at the very corner of the small place.

Neither of them needed to see the menu, they already knew what they wanted to order, but they hid their faces behind it anyway. There weren’t a lot of people in the diner, but they still had to be careful. After a few minutes passed, the waitress, a woman in her early fifties finally made her way to take their orders.

“What can I—” she paused, looking at both the men with furrowed brows. “I’ll be damned! Ryker Cohen and Ashton Archer as I live and breathe.”

“You’re gonna have to be a bit quieter, Tina,” Ryker chuckled nervously. “We’re trying to keep it on the down low.”

“Oh right, my bad,” Tina grinned. “It’s so good to see you both. It’s been years! You know what? I never bought all that media bullshit about you two hating each other. You’ve always been so tight! I knew it, I just knew.”

“You look as gorgeous as ever, though,” Ashton pitched in, flashing his signature smile as he ignored the latter part of what she said. He remembered the friendly waitress all too well.

“Ash, I keep telling you that I have a husband,” Tina chuckled, playing along.

“Goddamnit,” Ashton cursed. “Once again, you break my heart.”

“Oh honey,” Tina shook her head lightly, looking amused. “Should I bring your usuals?”

“You remember them?” Ryker asked, making Tina roll her eyes.

“Of course! How could I not? We still have y’alls photograph up on the wall too! Our little superstars,” Tina spoke. “I think Javi would also like to come say hello. Is that okay?”

“Maybe we can come back to the kitchen after we’re done eating? We don’t wanna draw any attention,” Ryker offered, and Tina nodded in understanding.

“I’ll be right out with your food,” she said before walking away.

“I can’t believe she still works here,” Ashton spoke once Tina was out of earshot.

“I think she and her husband invested in the diner too. I remember my mom mentioning something like that,” Ryker shrugged.

“Nice.”

Once Ashton looked around and saw that there were even fewer people in the diner, he took off his shades. Ryker did the same. The two played it smart and came after the usual lunch time, hoping that they wouldn’t be caught during the busy hours. Fortunately for them, it worked out.

Ashton looked around the place, smiling as he saw the photograph that Tina was talking about. He and Ryker were about nineteen in that, still at the start of their careers when they were best friends. Everything used to be so much simpler back then.

The diner looked the same, it had the exact same decor as it did when Ashton last visited it. It was almost as if he had stepped back in time. He gulped, he hadn’t realized how much he missed this phase of his life. It was a massive part of him and who he was, and for years he had forced himself to surpress it. To forget about it.

“Are you okay?” Ryker asked, snapping him out of his thoughts. Ashton faced the other man, who was watching Ashton carefully.

“I am,” Ashton answered with a nod, smiling at the other actor. For the first time in a very long time, he wasn’t lying. He was okay. He was more than okay, actually. He was happy.

“Huh,” Ryker whistled lowly. “If I had known cheesburgers and milkshakes would make you this happy then I would’ve dragged you here years ago.”

“It’s not just that,” Ashton paused, a part of him scared to admit these things to his supposed archnemesis. “It’s being back here. It’s everything.”

“Being back in the town?” Ryker questioned.

“Yes and no,” Ashton explained. “Your house is what makes this town home for me. Nothing else. I think I just forgot that all the happy memories that I have of my childhood…they all include you.”

“That can’t be true,” Ryker said softly, frowning.

“It is and you know that,” Ashton shrugged, he tried to keep his voice cool and composed, but there was a tinge of sadness in it that couldn’t be ignored.

“We can have it all again, you know?” Ryker spoke with hesitation, no doubt due to the fear of rejection. “You’ve always been the best part of my life, Ash. I never wanted to lose you.”

“Too much has changed between us, Ry,” Ashton replied. “I don’t…I don’t know if we can ever go back to how we used to be.”

“We can try,” Ryker insisted, leaning forward and keeping his hand on top of Ashton’s across the table. “Just give me a chance, Ash. I’ll make everything right, I swear.”

“I—” Ashton paused, feeling speechless. Ryker seemed so vulnerable, the emotions on his face so raw as he pleaded Ashton for another shot. Another shot at what, though? At being friends again? Or… “I need to think about all this. It’s— it’s too much for the moment.”

“Okay,” Ryker nodded, pressing his lips in a thin line. “Take your time. I’ll wait for you.”

Ashton was without words once again at how sincere Ryker seemed. He had so many reasons not to trust the man in front of him, but every cell in his body was telling him that Ryker was saying nothing but the truth. That Ryker wouldn’t lie to him.

And this blind faith terrified Ashton.

Ashton looked around, when he saw that nobody was looking at them, he grabbed Ryker’s hand that was holding his, raising it up and pressing his lips quickly to Ryker’s knuckles, before releasing his hand. He kept his own hands in his lap, his fingers fiddling with his rings.

Ryker was surprised at first, startled at the act of affection. Ashton’s cheeks were flushed pink as he looked anywhere but at the other actor, who was still staring at Ashton with his eyes slightly widened.

Luckily, Tina came back with their orders and distracted them.

The food was as good as Ashton remembered it. And he couldn’t help but say ‘fuck it’ to his diet as he ordered another burger. Ryker did the same, not yet feeling sated. Once they were done eating, they kept their promise and went to the kitchen to say hello to Javi, the head chef, who they also had known ever since they were kids.

The bukly man welcomed them both with a huge hug, before introducing them to the rest of the staff that looked absolutely starstuck upon seeing the two celebrities. After a bunch of pictures and autographs, Ryker and Ashton headed back home.

Once they were in Ryker’s garage, both of them unbuckled their seatbelts. Ryker was about to open the door and get out of the car, when Ashton grabbed his arm to stop him. Ryker turned to face him, his lips turned downwards in a confused frown.

They hadn’t kissed since the day they arrived, and today was their last night at Ryker’s home. They were to leave the next afternoon, and Ashton was already dreading it.

Ashton leaned forward, kissing Ryker. The dark haired man was shocked at Ashton’s actions once again, but he didn’t complain as he kissed the other actor back with equal passion. Once they pulled away, instead of getting out of the car, Ashton rested his forehead against Ryker’s, closing his eyes shut as both of them tried to catch their breaths.

“I don’t know what I’m doing, Ry,” Ashton admitted, his voice so low that it was barely above a whisper. “I’m supposed to hate you, and sometimes I think that I do. But I also want you so fucking bad. I’ve never been more confused in my entire life.”

“You don’t have to decide anything today or tomorrow, Ash,” Ryker said, running his fingers through Ashton’s hair soothingly. “I told you. I’ll wait for you. No matter how long it takes.”

***

the little idiots are finally getting there