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Once the two fans say goodbye and leave the bar, Kyle takes a sip of his beer back at their table and Levi drinks a bit of his coke as well.
“So... do you do that very often?” Kyle asks, running a hand through his hair.
“Do what exactly?” Levi asks, unsure.
“What you just did… talk to fans in a bar… take a photo with them,” Kyle waves his arms.
“Oh... well, not usually in a bar... And no, usually they approach me, not the opposite. But this was a special situation and it felt like… like the right thing to do, you know?” Levi smiles. “Look, I’m a spontaneous person. Yes, I’m popular or whatever but I try not to let it change me and I don’t ever wanna be somebody who fans think they can’t talk to. As long as they don’t cross the line of respect, I don’t want them to think that fame got into my head and I don’t have my feet on the ground because then, they would have the wrong idea about me and being famous doesn’t make me different from anybody else. Besides, when I was starting I admired certain actors and I still remember the disappointment after working with a couple of them… God knows I don’t wanna become like them.”
“Really? What happened?” Kyle frowns.
“Summing up? They were assholes.” Levi shrugs. “Obviously I was no one at the time… and those are things that stay with you. So, yeah, for me, fans are sacred. I’m aware that I get roles because of my talent but also because people wanna see my work and they pay a ticket to see my films or follow my TV shows and tweet about it and so on… Without people who support you, it doesn't matter how talented you are and that’s something some people forget about. I’ve seen it more times than you can imagine and I just can’t understand it.”
“Is this your way of offering advice about fans’ treatment?” Kyle smiles. He appreciates it if it is because he knows he has a lot to learn.
“God, no. Not at all. You asked me why I did that and that’s why.” Levi licks his lips. “Besides, you were amazing with them,” Levi says, still impressed by Levi’s signing skill.
“I didn’t do anything,” Kyle shakes his head.
“Are you kidding?" Levi raises his eyebrows. "Of course, you did. Even I can tell that your signing is perfect and they were happy because thanks to you they could communicate easily, so you truly helped and they were totally surprised and happy.”
“Yeah, because they couldn’t believe they were talking to you,” Kyle laughs. “But okay, I know what you mean and I was happy to help.” And the fact that he also had to take a photo with them because of what Levi told them, it’s both weird and hilarious.
Kyle snorts, “You shouldn’t have told them that though”.
“What did I tell them?” Levi frowns.
“Come on, you told them to take a photo with me because I was gonna be a star,” Kyle rolls his eyes with disbelief.
”Why not? It’s true.” Levi shrugs.
Kyle licks his lips, shaking his head. “You don’t know that.”
“You’re wrong, I do.” Levi nods. “This show—This role— is gonna change your life. Just wait and see.”
“Oh my god,” Kyle wants to tell him that he’s full of shit but somehow it doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t feel like they know each other long enough to speak like that. “If this is some flirting system that you have going on, it’s not gonna work on me,” Kyle smiles.
“I don’t have any flirting system. Contrary to popular belief I’m not perfect and there are things I’m not good at. And for sure, flirting is on that list.” Besides, he doesn’t think he needs it anymore, and flirting has never been his thing. Maybe he’s too lazy for that. When he likes a guy he just tells him. And in this case, either Kyle likes him or he doesn’t. There’s no flirting that would change that anyway.
“Why are you surprised that I can think that? I’ve been in this business for a long time and I can tell the difference between pretty good and trending topic-potential-kind-of-good and since the first time I saw you, I knew you were not just pretty good.”
Kyle “Really?” Kyle licks his lips, trying not to smile. He wants to believe that Levi is not saying that for the obvious reason that they are on a supposedly first date and he wants to be extra nice to Kyle’s ego.
“My heart never lies.” Levi bites his lip. He remembers that moment so well. He knows it will remain in his memories forever.
“When I saw you playing your guitar—When I listened to your voice—, my heart started beating really fast—I couldn’t get my eyes off you.” He can’t remember something like that ever happening to him before. “That’s how I know you’re special and special people usually get the recognition they deserve one way or another. And when this season starts airing, your life is gonna change completely. People will know who you are and what you’re capable of doing… and then, you’ll understand what I’m telling you right now.”
Kyle snorts, shaking his head. This is a first. What do you say to something like that? Levi’s heart is certainly an interesting one. The idea of this gorgeous and fucking talented man’s heart beating faster because of him makes him nervous and something else he can’t really define. It’s hard to accept but Levi exudes honesty… something about him and those beautiful eyes he’s got make you trust him and believe every word he says. It doesn’t feel like he’s acting—It feels like he’s being himself—Like it feels the moment he leaves the set and gets rid of the character he plays. That’s something he noticed from the start.
“So, anyway, I hope you’re ready for fame and everything that comes with it. Good and bad. That’s all I’m saying.”
Kyle is not speechless like he is right now very often. The last time it happened was when his agent called him to tell him that he got the role. Levi’s blind trust in his future popularity makes him feel thankful but also nervous because he wants to believe in himself as much as this guy seems to do but what if Levi is wrong? The idea of disappointing him makes him uneasy.
Obviously, Kyle wanted this role because he knew that everybody involved in the project was good and of course, he liked the script but it’s also the first time he feels this level of responsibility because he needs to be at the same level as everybody else. The show can’t fail because of him and that’s always in the back of his mind.
(To be continued)