Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

By the end of the day, Ren feels exhausted. Sure, he loved filming the first few episodes, and he loved acting in general, but it takes so much out of him. He sighs deeply and crumbles onto his bed, already dozing off and completely ignoring the fact that his glasses are still on. He’s about halfway to passing out before his phone starts buzzing. Ren huffs and reluctantly sits up, picking up his phone and staring at the screen. The caller I.D. reads, “Ryuji Sakamoto, Ann Takamaki”. Ren chuckles to himself before accepting the call. 

“Hey. What’s up?” he barely manages to croak out. Ryuji wastes no time in shouting in his ear, even through the phone.

“Oh, hey, you actually picked up! Hey, quick question for ya. Don’tcha think it’s a bit narcissistic to watch the tv show that you’re starring in, or is that normal?” Ren pauses, blinking in the darkness of his room. 

“What?”

“Ren!” Ann buts in, cutting Ryuji off before he can elaborate further. “Tell Ryuji that it’s totally normal! Watching yourself is a completely valid way to critique your own acting. Trust me, I would know. I’ve done this for years.”

“Years? Jeez, Ann, you really are a narcissist…”

“Hey!”

“Well, I don’t think it’s innately narcissistic…” Ren mumbles into the receiver. “I think it’s the intention that matters, no? Like what Ann said, watching yourself act to make note of your own ability is totally normal. But if you’re watching yourself act just to watch yourself, that’s a completely different thing.”

“Ha! See? Always trust me, Ryuji. I’ve been in the game longer than you have.” Ren can almost hear the victorious grin on Ann’s face.

“Aww, come on, man! You’re supposed to be on my side!” And he can hear Ryuji’s defeated pout just as much…

He lets out a slightly amused exhale through his nose, and shakes his head, “Sorry, Ryuji.” 

“Hey, so does that mean you’ll come over and watch the first three episodes with me, Ren? Since Ryuji refuses to do anything with me.”

Ren holds back an annoyed groan in favor of pretending to hum thoughtfully. He’s so exhausted, he really doesn’t want to do anything right now. He doesn’t want to move at all, actually. This month has been hell with all the back to back filming, and now he was finally able to get time to himself. But Ann was inviting him…

She basically asked him to go hang out with her, and who was he to tell her no? Especially since it seemed that Ryuji flaked out on her, and she was still eager to watch the new season regardless. With all the energy he can muster, Ren shifts over, swinging his long legs off of the side of his bed.

“Yeah, I’ll be over in a bit, Ann.”

“Great! I’ll see you soon, Ren!”

“Wait, wait, can I come over too then-”

Ren hangs up before he can listen to the two blondes bicker at each other more. He rolls his shoulders forward and trudges over to his front door to put on his shoes.