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"I'm not doing this, Ryan. Let's just get through this damned interview, then we can go back to our separate trailers. Does that work for you?"
Needless to say, Ryan was dealing with feelings from filming the lightning strike scene. And then the hospital scenes that got cut. But right now, he can't focus on that. He has to focus on answering the interviewer's questions. And hopefully not cause any drama in the process.
"Hi, Ryan. Hi, Oliver. I'm Rachel. It's nice to meet you both." Ryan shook her hand first, then Oliver followed suit. "It's nice to meet you, Rachel."
"I agree with Oliver; it's so nice to meet you." Rachel looked toward the cameraman and they started the interview.
"So, I guess you know the questions that I'm gonna ask." Both men nodded. "So, can we get started?" Another nod from Ryan and Oliver.
"So, we know how hard Buck being struck by lightning, then ending up in a coma, was for both Eddie and Buck. But, I want to know how it was filming those scenes for both of you. Let's start with you, Ryan. I can see an answer forming in that brain of yours." Ryan looked at Oliver, who only shrugged in response.
"Well, I kind of went into the headspace of how Eddie would feel in that situation." Which isn't too far off from what I was actually feeling. Ryan didn't say those thoughts out loud. "So, I started to think: 'What would I do if someone I care for deeply was in that situation?'. And it worked pretty well."
"What about you, Oliver? Were you shocked by Ryan's performance?"
"I was completely blown away by his skill. The emotion that he projected into those screams. I honestly thought something had just happened with his family before we had to film." Well, Oliver wasn't completely off-base. But what actually happened, well that was something that Ryan was hoping to take to the grave.
"Nothing happened with my family, Oli. I just saw you up there, hanging like you were dead. And I couldn't contain my emotion for my best friend. I did what any good actor would do. I followed the script but added some extra emotion." Oliver signaled for a break from the interview. "No problem, Oliver. I'll see you guys tomorrow once you have some time to talk through your feelings about filming." Oliver and Ryan both thanked Rachel for being patient with them.
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"What the hell were you talking about? I didn't even think you considered me as a friend, Ryan. But I'm starting to think it's more than that. Did you know that some of the fans have compiled videos and photos of you staring at me with adoration? Even when we're not on set?"
"What if it was more than friendship that I want with you, Oli? What would you do then?" Oliver had to do a double take. "Do you want more than friendship with me?"
"It's fine that you don't, Oli. I've been fine with that for around two years, now. So, just leave me alone. I'll see if the writers can write Eddie out so you don't have to work with me anymore. Because my feelings for you are clearly making you uncomfortable." Ryan left before Oliver could get to him. But luckily, Oliver could track Ryan's phone. It showed him in the 'writing room'.
"Oliver? What the actual fuck are you doing here?"
"Stopping my best friend from quitting. I'll quit if you quit. So, there'll be a drastically smaller fanbase if you leave. And the show will get canceled. Is that what you want?"
"Fine, then maybe I'll go jump off a roof. And then you can still have your precious TV show."
"You aren't being serious, are you, Ryan?" Ryan couldn't contain his emotions anymore. "I don't know, Oli! I just can't handle being next to you if you're gonna be homophobic."
"First of all, I'm not mad that you like me like that. I'm actually pretty flattered." Ryan started yanking on his hair from the roots. "I don't like you, Oli. I love you." Oliver's jaw dropped. "W-what?" He sputtered.
"I love you, Oliver. But you don't love me, so I'm just gonna go find a roof that's higher than two stories. Because I don't wanna make you uncomfortable. Or maybe I'll slit my own throat. Then my love will be in the form of my blood because my love for you flows through my veins."
"Do you mean that, Ryan?" Ryan looked up from where he'd curled up into a ball on the floor and nodded. "I love you so much, Oli. Probably more than Buck and Eddie love each other. You and I both know that's saying something."
"That still doesn't explain your reaction to the interview question." Ryan looked back down at his feet and said, "Imagine how you would feel if you saw someone you're in love with dangling from a rope in a harness, trying to look as lifeless as possible. And having to follow a script that tells you to lower that person to the ground instead of pulling them up to the safety of your arms. I don't know if it was the makeup, or what. But you looked dead up there, Oliver. And I couldn't do a damn thing but follow the script."
Oliver sat down on the ground next to Ryan. "Remember when we had to film the scene for the shooting episode?" Ryan looked up at Oliver and nodded. "Well, I felt similar to how you felt about the lightning strike. You're such a good actor that I actually thought you were dying right in front of me. And just like you, I wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. I just had to follow the script while trying my damnest to not let my real emotions show. But when I saw you like that, I didn't know how to react. Because I was escorted onto set with barely any information about the scene. They wanted the best reaction that looked the most real. So, I only let a portion of my feelings show."
Oliver took a break to gauge Ryan's reaction to the information he just revealed. "I didn't know you felt like that, Oli. Oh, and I've started going to therapy again. Just to deal with the trauma of seeing you like that."
Oliver wrapped an arm around Ryan's shoulders. "I know it's probably not the best moment to ask thi-"
"Just ask it, Oliver."
"Fine. Can I kiss you?" Ryan didn't respond verbally. Instead, he leaned into Oliver's embrace, tilted his own head up and kissed Oliver.
"Wow. That was the best kiss I've ever had."
"Me, too, Ryan."
"By the way, I think I'm gonna stay on the show." Oliver finally verbalized the thought that had been lingering in his mind since the interview. "You don't need to stay on the show just for me. I want you to do it for you."
"I am doing it for me. Trust me. But you're the one that keeps me from jumping off roofs and all that dark shit. You keep me from doing that all the time. Thank you for being my reason to live, mi amor."
"I'm more than happy to do that for the rest of our lives, mi vida." Ryan was too exhausted to wonder how in the hell Oliver knew Spanish pet names, so he just went with it.
"Can we go back to your trailer? It has a comfier bed, and I'm beyond tired." Oliver sighed and while looking at his new boyfriend with complete and utter adoration, he carried him to his trailer, not knowing it would become theirs.