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"Well this'll be an interesting episode." Clay chuckles quietly, his voice hoarse from screaming in the last scene.
"Real.. Plot twist." Nick mutters, turning the page with an agitated look on his face. Clay notices and tenses, "you dont.. Have to do this you know that right? You can ask Sam and he'll probably--"
"No its fine." the black-haired man huffs, "just wish i had more warning." he smiles warily at Clay, "hope you're a good kisser?"
"You can ask George." Clay smirks cockily, the awkwardness slowly fading. The younger goes to say something but stops when he sees the brunette walking towards them. "Speak of the devil." he mutters, his grin growing slightly wider.
"Nick." Georges tone is stern, but Nick can see the teasing in his eyes. "George." Nick replies, his expression the same.
"Since you are going to be kissing my boyfriend--" he drapes an arm around the blondes shoulders. "I'll have to ask you not to enjoy it too much."
Nicks eyes find Clay's and he cant quite place the look the blonde gives him. He breathes sharply through his teeth, "well.. It'll be tough, but i think i can manage it. It is after all, Clay."
"And whats wrong with kissing me?" The blonde interrupts before George can retort. Theres a beat of silence where the only thing rushing through Nick's head is 'because your boyfriend is my best friend.'
"Trust me." Nick scoffs, "there are many reasons why i cant--wont kiss you." he laughs it off, but the tension is suddenly back.
Luckily, Sam comes to his rescue. "I assume you've all seen the script change?" he asks, flipping through a document that Nick recognizes as the script.
"Yep." George says, the teasing having left his eyes.
The trio make there way to the other side of the warehouse, George stopping half-way to hangout with the camera crew.
That leaves Nick and Clay, standing by the doors waiting for their cue, one shuffling his feet and the other twiddling his fingers.
Eventually, Clay breaks the silence, "if you could kiss me? Would you?" he mumbles. Nicks eyes widen, "what?"
"nevermind." Clay waves it off but Nick shakes his head. "No Clay what did you say?"
The older sighs, "if.. If you could kiss me, if you could kiss me and there would be no consequence, no George, would you?"
Nick freezes for a second, then laughs it off, "thats a strange question to ask your friend Clay."
The blonde huffs, "you're not my friend." Nick stops, "excuse me?!"
"Your not my friend."
"What? Just because I wont answer some dumb question about kissing you im not your friend anymore?"
"I never said it was about the question.."
"Then what is it about Dream?!"
Clay stops. And a worker smiles as she walks past, "practicing your lines I see!" she grins enthusiastically.
"Can never be too careful what'll trip you up." the younger mutters in reply, Clay still frozen. The woman nods again then scurries off.
"It'll always be Dream and Sapnap to you, huh?" The older sighs, running a hand through his dirty-blonde hair. "The only time you'll ever think of me as more than a friend, when we're Dream and Sapnap."
"We're actors Clay." Nick states, "I think its time you start playing your part."
"You two ready over there?!" Sam calls from where he was talking to George. Nick calls back a reply, Clay still pondering the youngers words.
The two get in position before the loud call of "Action!" Echoes through the building.
Nick begins running, hearing Clay right behind him. "Sap!" he calls out, his voice suddenly one of hurt.
Hes an actor, he's supposed to be hurt.
"Sap!" he calls out again as he finally grasps the youngers arm. "What do you want Dream?!" Sapnap whirls around, glaring up at the taller man.
"I want you to talk to me." the blonde replies, still panting slightly from the 'run.'
"Your an idiot Dream." Sapnap sighs, his voice rough with hurt, "and im an idiot for falling for you."
Theres a beat.
"Kiss me."
A little off-script, but Sapnap rolls with it, taking a step until he's closer to the blonde, their lips clashing in a game of love and hate.
Pull away. Nick doesnt let himself get lost in the sensation, willing his eyes not to flutter shut. Stay on script and pull away.
But Clay doesnt, instead deepening the kiss slightly, seemingly lost in a trance.
Fine, Nick internally huffs, if he wont do it, I will. He shoves the taller man away, clearly shocking him as he stumbles slightly.
"S-sorry.." he mumbles quietly, wiping the spot off his lip. "You have a wife, Dream." Sapnap decides to stay on track, not letting himself wish to be back in his bestfriends-boyfriends arms. "A wife who loves you very much."
"Well maybe i don't love my wife."
No.. Yes.. No.
Damn boy for not practicing his lines.
"You owe it to hi-er to stay. To love her." Sapnap practically pleads.
"I don't owe him shit." a little bold, but he could stay on script, he could act, thats the one thing Nick can do.
"Don't think I don't notice the subtle glances, the way you admire me when you think im not looking." Dream continues, his voice strained.
Back on script Clay, please.
"What?"
"Say the word and ill break up with him, Nick, please."
Theres a beat, and a few gasps echo from behind the cameras. "Your an asshole, y'know that Dream?" Nick grits his teeth, "Y'dont think I didnt notice the way you always look at me longer than you do him, the way you laugh at my jokes but not his, the way you jokingly flirt back with me but your hugs with him are all one sided." he stops and let's out a shaky breath, "but I don't care Dream, I really don't. Because he is my bestfriend and I put his happiness over mine everytime."
The younger finally looks up at the blondes piercing green eyes and smiles, "well done dickhead."
Its silent for a few moments until Sam calls out an awkward "cut!" rushing forward to stand between the two. "I think we should um.. Take a break, maybe you two can--"
"Say the word Nick."
"Maybe you two should go into a more priva--" Sam is interrupted.
"Or what, Dream."
"Or I'll leave you alone, and you'll never have to see me or my dickhead brain again."
Sam holds his hands out, "Okay maybe we sh--"
"I don't want to pick. Not between you and George." Theres a moment of hesitation, "I'm sorry Clay." not Dream.
Clay nods, biting his lip, and George's lips stay parted from where he had run over next to Sam. "What?" his voice is breathe-y.
"I'm so sorry George." is all Nick says, his fist clenching and unclenching.
"Thank you." is all the brunette mumbles, "for not.. Thankyou." Nick's gaze goes to the floor, desperately not letting himself think about how he sort of wishes he did.
"And i assume you know we're not..." he rounds on Clay, trailing off as he sees the man's meek expression. "Goodbye, dickhead."
Low blow.
the short man gazes between them again before turning on his feet and running down the room, his sniffles slowly becoming audible. Sam soon follows after.
"Nic-"
"Don't. Just don't."