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Vil handed his money to the cashier of the little cafe he’d decided to stop and have lunch in. It was a typical fall afternoon for him. He was in between films at the moment, some much needed downtime after what had been a tight schedule for the last year. The woman behind the counter didn’t bat an eye at his celebrity status, around here he was one of many.
The woman moved to make his drink order, as the door chimed behind him. “I’ll be with you in a moment.” She called out. Vil didn’t even glance to see who had entered, stepping off to the side to wait for his food.
“DADDY DADDY!” he heard a little girl cry excitedly. “They have cake, can I have some?” she had plastered herself up against the glass display case, gazing at a slice of chocolate cake that was probably the size of her head. None of it had gained the actor’s attention, as his coffee was placed in front of him. He took a sip, still waiting for the sandwich he’d ordered.
“I don’t think so Nala.” a familiar voice cut through the air. “You shouldn’t have too much sugar. Plus if I order that for you, you won’t eat the rest of your lunch.”
Vil froze there was no way….he glanced up to see the form of Cater Diamond (Kingscholar now he supposed, he didn't know if he'd gone back to his maiden name or not) standing there, with a small 5 year old girl. She had auburn colored hair, skin several shades darker than her father's, and lion ears and a tail, that were currently down expressing her disappointment at the denial of the sugary treat. The ginger bent down next to her. “I tell you what, if you eat all your lunch, I’ll see about stopping at the store and we can get some ingredients to make cookies this evening.”
The girl’s emerald eyes lit up at the promise. “I’ll eat everything!” she declared gleefully.
It was clear that Cater hadn’t noticed him. He wasn’t sure if it was a blessing or a curse. The ginger went ahead to order their pair’s food, and on impulse, Vil reached and spoke out. “Why don’t you let me cover your lunch?”
The little girl clung to her father’s leg, as Cater looked at him in surprise. “Vil?” he questioned, though he didn’t sound entirely excited to see him. “That's alright, I don’t want to burden you.”
“Who is that daddy?” the girl asked pulling on her father’s hand.
“Just someone I went to school with.” the ginger replied, as he smiled down at the girl.
“It's not a burden,” Vil replied but Cater had already handed over his own card. “But if you don’t want to let me buy you lunch, at least join me?”
The ginger looked annoyed but before he got to say anything Nala spoke again. “Did he know Papa?”
All traces of his anger vanished as Cater looked back down at his daughter. “Yes, sweetie. We were all in the same graduating class.”
“Can you tell me stories?” The little lioness was now in front of Vil, with a pleading look on her face hands brought together.
“I..” his feelings towards Leona had always been…not the best. Especially with the way things had ended their junior year. But he couldn’t tell this little girl that. The look on Cater’s face also carried a warning You better not say one bad word about him. “I can. Did they ever tell you about the time he was in a fairy fashion show?”
The girl’s eyes went wide, “NO” she looked amazed.
“Alright.” Cater brought a hand to his face pinching the bridge of his nose. “We can have lunch together”
Vil smiled but he felt nervous, how long had it been since he’d seen the ginger in person?
The trio sat down at a booth. Nala stared at Vil from her seat next to her dad across the table. “Don’t forget you promised you would eat all your food.”
“I will, but I want to hear about Fairy Papa.” the girl smiled before picking up her fork.
“Well, you see there is something the fairies hold every year to usher in Spring called the Fairy Gala, and one year they picked our school to hold it. This would have been just a simple annoyance if they hadn’t stolen the mage stone that powered the school’s climate stabilization. To them, it was just a pretty rock but to us, it meant we couldn’t attend school.”
Nala started to eat her food, but her eyes never left Vil. Listening to every word, Cater didn’t seem inclined to add anything so Vil kept going. “Well we had to get it back, your papa was a very brave man, angering the fairies could have been disastrous, but he still dressed up as one, and used some special fairy dust to fool the fairies into thinking he was one of them. He managed to dazzle everyone and distract the fairy queen long enough for another of his teammates to swap out the real mage stone for a fake one and saved the entire school.”
“Whoa.” the girl looked on in awe.
Cater at least looked less angry with him, he had a bit of a wistful smile on his face. “I almost forgot about that. He was so stubborn. But he always made that work for him.”
“Do you have any more stories?” Nala asked looking at Vil expectantly.
Vil had many, but most of them would probably only get him death glares from the ginger.
“I do.” He finally answered. “Finish your meal, like your daddy asked and I’ll tell you a few more.” It would at least give him time to chase the worse thoughts from his head and think of something worth telling Leona’s 5 year old daughter.
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It had all started sometime after the VDC. Adela, Vil’s agent at the time had convinced the actor the best way to improve his image and the chances at a leading role was to indulge in a little high school romance. He’d initially been against it, it was a stupid foolish idea. Besides the only one he’d trust to play such a role was already taken. Somehow out of the disaster that had been the VDC, Rook had achieved the dream of every fan to ever exist and started to date Neige. (In fact, it was the public’s reaction to that relationship that prompted his agent to even suggest it)
Finally, she had convinced him to just think of it as another part to play. Suggested he find someone willing to fake it with him. No real feelings had to be involved, just a few well timed and publicized outings A few dates, a movie premier, or a gala just to sell the whole package. Vil sat down and made a list, even if in the end he knew there was only one possible candidate.
Cater Diamond had been wishing for this very chance since they were freshmen, and despite how VIl might have felt about him otherwise, he was social media savvy, knew how to behave in public, knew how to work a crowd, he was charismatic and handsome. And most importantly willing.
Except when Vil had dropped the idea on him, in the courtyard the following morning, he’d seemed…reluctant. The immediate, and exuberant yes he’d expected hadn’t come. “I….” various emotions had crossed his face. “You want to pretend to date me, so that people find you more relatable, and you can land better movie roles?”
“Yes, and of course you’ll get what you want out of the deal. It would require us to conduct ourselves extremely publicly which means all the pictures and magicam clout you could want.” Vil explained speaking as if he was conducting any other business deal.
Later on, the actor would run this very scene back over in his head, Looking for all the signs he’d missed or ignored, but in the moment he was simply annoyed that Cater was taking so long to commit. “Well out with it, you may have been my first choice, but you’re not my only one.” Vil had known that wasn’t true, he’d spent the evening before pouring over possibilities and had only been left with one name that made sense.
Cater’s eyes had slid closed as he let out an almost defeated sigh, even if Vil hadn’t realized what it was at the time. “If you really think this will help you out then….sure. I’ll pretend to be your boyfriend.”
“There now, that wasn’t so hard.” Vil smiled as he lifted one hand into the air. “Now for the conditions. While you will be allowed or rather expect to touch me in public, you’re to keep your hands to yourself in private. We’re to attend a date at least once a week. On Friday evenings, since that's the only opening I have in my schedule, and you’ll be expected to attend the premiere of my father’s movie with me in one month’s time.” the blonde listed off. “And of course, not engage in any other relationship, even if you think it's in private. Everything you post must make it seem like we’re a real couple. And while you will be permitted to post photos of me, you must get my approval before anything goes live”
“Of course,” Cater replied he had that same fake smile on his face that irritated Vil But he could deal with it for now. This was the key to his dreams after all.
Except his dream had ended in a nightmare.
What had started out as simply just another part for the actor, had slowly turned to real feelings. Cater it turned out had been an amazing boyfriend. They’d only kissed in front of a camera, but he found himself looking for the next time he could capture the ginger’s lips with his own. Somehow Vil Schoenheit had fallen in love with Cater Diamond without realizing it. Never realizing that the ginger had loved him all along. Something Vil hadn’t found out until it was much too late.
It was Leona who’d delivered the news, Cater had been driven to a deep depression, playing along pretending to have the life he always wanted, while knowing it was no more than a sham for publicity, that the man who had always accused him of only wanting to use him, was the one callously using Cater’s feelings for his own gain. He’d managed to hide it from everyone, including Vil, but Leona’s senses had picked up that there was something terribly wrong in paradise, and had cornered the ginger until it had all come out one evening as Cater sat in Leona’s room, buried under the lion’s blankets as he cried.
The next morning Leona had sought Vil out in a rage, as Cater slept for the first time in weeks in the lion’s bed. (Leona had taken the floor, sleeping on a pile of blankets and furs). The fight had been brutal as the lion demanded Vil end this farce and apologize. Vil defending himself, and his feelings for Cater. In the end, Vil lost the fight, and Cater ended up in Leona’s arms.
The media did what the media always did, trying to twist the story for drama, rumors that Cater had been cheating on Vil with Leona swirled. And no matter how many times they tried to set the record straight the narrative never seemed to change. Vil was portrayed as the victim, still covering for a man he loved. Cater and Leona had been vilified not that the pair cared in the end.
Adele hadn’t cared, in the end, it had gotten Vil the part he wanted, a pitiful consolation prize.
He’d tried to ignore the couple.
Even when their wedding made headlines. Once again Leona was played as traitorous scum. Abandoning his family for his stolen lover. Farena had disapproved of the lion’s choice of a mate. It hadn’t been a hard choice for Leona who hadn’t really cared for his family anyway. He’d left it all behind to be with Cater.
And they’d been happy for a time.
But their happiness had ended all too abruptly. Leona had died before his daughter had even turned a year old. That was the last of the story Vil had known. Until today that was.
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“..and that's all I can think of for now.” Vil finished the last story he could at least twist into something pleasant for the girl in front of him.
“Thank you.” Nala’s tail twitched a bit peaking up over the edge of the table. “I love hearing stories about Papa Leona, he was so brave and cool.”
“He was.” Cater patted the girl on the head. “Why don’t you go play, we have a little bit of time.” he encouraged. The cafe had a small section with various toys for their younger guests. It was one of the reasons the pair frequented the establishment.
“Okay!” the girl hopped out of her seat and under the table. She gave Cater a kiss on his cheek, before surprising Vil, by giving him a hug, and running off.
“She’s a good kid.” Vil smiled as he looked back to Cater, but it was clear the ginger wasn’t happy.
“What are you after Vil.” the ginger’s voice had turned borderline hostile.
“Cater” the actor sighed. “It's been 10 years now. I know you never believed me when I said I was sorry but I am. I just…wanted to see how you were. “
“We’re doing fine.” the other crossed his arms “And we don’t need you or anyone else poking their nose into this. Farena sent you didn’t he?”
“What?” a shocked look crossed Vil’s face. “Why would Leona’s brother send me? I’ve never even met the man. “
Cater stared at him a moment longer before he relaxed slightly. “Sorry.” he ran a hand through ginger hair.
“Cater what’s going on,” Vil asked softly, he could see how stressed the other was.
“I shouldn’t be telling you this.” he shook his head. “But if you really haven’t been sent by him, then you picked a really bad time to try to swoop back into my life. “
“I swear, I…” he looked away. “I try not to follow anything too closely. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Farena got me fired from my last job.” Cater confessed. “I thought he’d backed off, but no.”
“Why in Twisted Wonderland would he do that?” Vil looked at him in shock.
“Because he wants me to come to him for support. It's been like this since Leona died. I always knew his family was pretty much garbage from how he talked, but right after, he invited me and Nala to the palace. I was wary, but I was on my own with a newborn daughter, and had no idea what I was doing. It was okay at first, but then he admitted he wanted me to hand Nala over to his family. She belonged there of course. She was a princess. “ Cater spoke mocklingly. “I hate myself that I considered it for a moment. But I knew Leona would never have wanted that life for her. It's the life he walked away from, so I did the same. I fled in the night and never looked back. He’s been trying to put pressure on me ever since. Telling me I need to do the right thing by my daughter.”
“Thats…” a disgusted look crossed the actor’s face. “Vile.”
“So you showing up, offering to pay for our food, sitting here telling Nala stories about Leona when I know you hated him. Forgive me for thinking you had something to do with it.” Cater leaned back in the booth and crossed his arms.
“I thought you were still just…angry about before. “ Vil admitted. “But no I swear this is the first I’ve heard of it. But are you really alright? What are you going to do.”
“You think I was still hung up on what happened in high school? Vil you give yourself too much credit.” Cater scoffed.
Something about those words stung a little, he did feel kind of foolish now. And not just because in many ways he was still hung up on it. He never really gotten closure from the situation. This was the first time he’d talked to Cater since they’d broken up. He’d never really gotten his side of the story out. But his companion was right, it was foolish to hash it out 10 years later when the other had so thoroughly moved on. “Well now that I’ve managed to embarrass myself.” Vil sighed. “But if you’re struggling to find work, I can probably help. I know you were always good with a camera.”
“Vil, I’m gonna stop you right there. I don’t need some white knight to save me.” Cater held up his hand. “When I said we’re fine I mean it. While officially I was disowned by my own family in high school, my dad never stopped sending me money. I don’t need to work to support myself or Nala. I just did because I enjoyed it. Fanera doesn’t realize that though. And if he finds out, well now I know you were lying about not working with him.”
It was then the little girl came back to the table placing both her hands on it peeking up at Vil. “Daddy, can Mr Vil come and make cookies with us.”
“I think Mr. Vil is very busy and doesn’t have time to make cookies,” Cater replied and the girl pouted.
“Actually I’m free right now mostly, in between projects,” Vil replied not even thinking about it.
The ginger glowered at him, but the girl looked super excited. “HOORAY!”
“Nala, why do you want Mr. Vil to come and make cookies with us? I thought that would be just for the two of us.” Cater asked her sweetly, it was clear the girl had her father wrapped around her finger.
“Because he’s nice, and has stories about Papa Leona. And it’s always just us.” The girl listed off. “You’re always so lonely daddy, I thought you could spend more time with your friend.”
“Nala…” Cater started and Vil could tell he was torn.
“I wouldn’t want to impose on your family time sweetie.” the actor tried to defuse the situation.
“Daddy please.” the girl latched on to Vil leaving both adults exasperated.
“Fine” the ginger caved, he was always bad at telling the girl no. “But just this once.”
The girl cheered, and as the trio left the cafe, she held both of their hands.
None of them were the wiser that ‘just this once’ would turn into a new weekly thing.