Behind The Limelight 46: Crossovers

It was crazy how fast Ashton and Ryker almost forgot that they spent years hating one another. Well, Ashton was the only one that actually hated the other man, as Ryker had always been head over heels for the brunette.

They fell back into how they used to be before. Half the time it felt like they were simply two best friends hanging out, playing video games or arguing over stupid things, and the other half was spent together with them fucking like bunnies.

Ashton never failed to surprise Ryker in that regard. Ryker had made the mistake of assuming that Ashton would be timid or reserved in bed, but he turned out to be quite the wild card.

It didn’t take long for Ashton to get signed for another movie, a big time director again. The film was an adaption of a romance novel written on some reading-writing app that Ashton had never even heard of before. Apparently Ryker had, though, and he informed Ashton about the bunch of fanfics on there that shipped the two of them.

Apparently some fans loved the whole enemies-to-lovers trope. Who would’ve thought they were right, huh?

A lot of other developments happened in the next few months too. Ashton finally ended up filing a restraining order against his mother. Those were some tough few weeks, somehow the news got out and he was hounded by reporters for days on end. He never made a comment on it, and thankfully neither did his mother.

Ashton didn’t check social media for weeks during that period. He knew the type of shit people would be assuming, and he wanted to protect his peace. He had finally started going to therapy, and he didn’t want to fuck up his mental health even more.

Meeting Ryker became hard too, as it felt like there was somebody or the other always watching where he was going or what he was doing.

Ashton could only breathe in relief when the gossip became old. People and media moved on, and a divorce announcement of some famous celebrity couple became the top news instead. Thank fuck for failing marriages, right?

Cora gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, and Ashton managed to be there at the hospital. Ashton had insisted on paying for a private suite, which Cora argued against, but Ashton ultimately won. Thankfully, this meant that they got their privacy without new rumors leaking. Ashton was half prepared for it to get out and for people to assume he was the father. But it didn’t.

Ashton and Ryker also visited Ryker’s home a couple times. Ryker had told his parents that they were dating, after asking Ashton whether he would be okay with it or not. Ashton was nervous to see them for the first time after that, but… everything was exactly the same. They didn’t treat him any differently, they were still as caring and affectionate as ever.

Unlike his parents, Ryker and Ashton had told Abi that they were dating in person. Together. She simply yelled a ‘finally!’ and made a show of thanking the universe for making the two men grow both a brain and a set of balls.

The two men were currently at Abi’s wedding. It was a low-key affair that they had decided to have at Parker’s hometown. His family was apparently quite well off, and the ceremony was at their mansion.

A few people had come up to Ashton and Ryker for pictures and autographs at the wedding, which they were expecting. Fortunately, most people respected that the day wasn’t about them but about Abi and Parker, so they didn’t create a scene.

Ashton was currently in the restroom, he noticed a man washing his hands as he exited the stall. The blond looked maybe a tad bit older than him, but he was easily one of the most handsome men Ashton had ever seen. And that was saying something considering the industry Ashton worked in.

The blond glanced at Ashton for barely a moment, before focusing back on drying his hands. Ashton couldn’t help but be intrigued by the lack of interest. Did he not know who Ashton was?

“Friend of the bride or the groom?” Ashton asked.

“Groom,” the stranger answered.

“Ah, how do you guys know each other?” Ashton questioned again.

“We’ve been friends since middle school,” he replied with a soft smile.

“Oh, that’s nice! I’ve met Parker a few times, he seems like a great guy,” Ashton said.

“He is. One of the sweetest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing,” he spoke. “On another note, my husband is a big fan. He also tends to get a bit excited sometimes, so if he sees you and…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be nice,” Ashton retorted. So he did know who Ashton was. He simply didn’t care.

“Thanks,” the stranger said. “I take it you’re from the bride’s side?”

“Yeah, she’s my, uh, she’s my boyfriend’s sister,” Ashton said awkwardly.

It felt weird admitting that Ryker was his boyfriend, especially to a stranger. He did not even know why he did it. He could just go out and tell everyone and reveal Ashton’s secret, but for some reason…Ashton just couldn’t lie to the blond. Maybe it was the fact that he had a husband, so somehow he felt that he would respect Ashton enough to not out him.

“Oh. Cool.”

Just when Ashton felt like this would be the end of the conversation, the door of the restroom burst open. The Indian man that walked in froze at his spot as he stared wide eyed at Ashton, before glancing at the blond and then back again at the actor.

“Oh my God, Ro, that’s Ashton Archer! You’re Ashton Archer!” He exclaimed, a wide grin on his face.

“I know,” the man, ‘Ro’, said.

“Holy shit! I fucking love you! I know many people say that Back To Becca is your best work but honestly I love Zombie Bites. And I just saw the trailer of your movie with Ryker Cohen and fuck I can’t wait for it to release! Do you dye your hair? What kind of products do you use? They look so soft and fluffy in real life just like in the movies. Mine get frizzy so easily, it’s very annoying. Especially when it’s humid. Oh damn, you have freckles? I never noticed. But for real, can I have you hair care rou—”

“Kai, sweetie, breathe.”

“Uh,” Ashton blinked in confusion. The man could talk.

“Oh fuck! Ro, can you click a picture of us? Or should we take a selfie of the three of us? Wait, I’m so sorry, I didn’t even ask if you’d be okay with that. I apologize, do you mind? It’s completely cool if not! I understand how annoying it must get when fans go all crazy on you. It sounds terrible, I really am sorry, actors have it hard, huh? I can’t ever imagine—”

“It’s fine, we can get a picture of the both of us and then a selfie too,” Ashton cut him off, a geniune smile on his face. The man was too adorable for Ashton to be annoyed at him.

“Fuck! Really? You’re the best!” Kai grinned. He walked over to his husband, pecking his lips quickly as he handed his phone to him. “Wait! Shit! Should we video call Maya and Leo? You know how much Maya loves him too! Oh no, I wish they were here, goddamnit.”

“I’m sure they won’t mind, love. Let’s just get the pictures first, yeah? I’m sure Ashton wants to go enjoy the wedding too,” the blond said, zeeming comegely calm and collected in contrast to his significant other as he kissed his forehead.

Ashton was in awe as he watched the two men. The way they interacted with one another…the way they even looked at each other screamed of how deeply in love they were. They were also out. They were married and from what Ashton could figure out, they had kids as well. They had a life, a life that Ashton never knew he wanted too.

They decided that the restroom wasn’t the best place for pictures, and went outside to take them. They ended up running into Ryker, who joined them in for the photographs. Kai seemed to be overly happy with the outcome, and thanked both the actors again and again before being pulled away by his husband.

The rest of the ceremony went just as smoothly. Ashton was super emotional by the end of it, Abi and Parker’s self written vows almost had him in tears. Same with Ryker, though he would probably never admit it.

The reception began, the music was loud and everyone was busy dancing. Ashton took the opportunity to drag Ryker to the coat room, sneaking away from the party.

“Okay, Ash, baby I really don’t think we should be having sex at my sister’s wedd—”

“That’s not why I dragged you here, you little bitch,” Ashton retorted with an eye roll.

“Oh,” Ryker blinked. “Oops? What’s up?”

“I just…” Ashton paused, leaning forward to kiss Ryker briefly before continuing. “I just wanted to tell you that…”

“Tell me what?” Ryker urged, noticing that Ashton was hesitating. He was playing with the hem of his tux, and Ryker sighed as he held Ashton’s hands. He grabbed the brunette’s chin, making the actor face him. “Talk to me, baby.”

“I’m sorry that I’m not ready to come out yet,” Ashton whispered. Ryker’s eyes softened as he frowned.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’ve told you time and again that I’ve had years to come to terms with my sexuality and my feelings for you. You haven’t. So it’s only natural for you to not be ready so quickly,” Ryker replied.

“But it’s been months and I…I’m still scared,” Ashton said. “I feel like it’s not fair to you.”

“I know,” Ryker continued, “Ash, it’s fine. It really is. If I ever feel like it isn’t, then I’ll tell you, okay? I promise.”

“Okay,” Ashton nodded. “I also wanted to tell you that…that even though I want to keep things between us for now, it doesn’t mean that it’s because my feelings for you aren’t…aren’t very strong or anything like that.”

“Ash…”

“It’s me and my issues. It’s got nothing to do with you or how I feel about you,” Ashton spoke, his voice nervous as he looked into Ryker’s eyes. “Because I do feel really strongly for you.”

“Yeah?”

“I love you, Ry,” Ashton stated. “A part of me has known it for months. I’ve been too much of a coward to tell you. But I don’t want to be scared anymore, and I don’t want to keep things to myself. I love you. I fucking love you and I want you to know that.”

Ryker was caught off-guard by Ashton’s sudden confession. The last place that he expected for Ashton to tell him that he loved him was in a tiny coat room at his sister’s wedding, but he wasn’t complaining. The words were like music to his years, and he couldn’t stop grinning.

“Well…” Ryker smirked. “I know.”

“I know? I know?” Ashton narrowed his eyes. “Bitch, I tell you that I love you and you say that you know?”

“Well, yeah,” Ryker shrugged.

“That’s it. I take it back. I don’t love you anymore.”

“Too late, you’re stuck with me.”

“You’re lucky you’re cute and have a big dick or else I would’ve been out that door,” Ashton muttered.

“Trust me babe, I know I’m the lucky one.”

***

suggest names for Cora’s son! the comment with most likes wins. (only legitimate names pls i don’t wanna name Ashton’s half brother Bucktooth or something)

alsoooo a little tense crossover because I miss my babies.