Work Text:
Medkit was usually a decently sheltered person, but it was as if something possessed him when he was acting. Any usual fright that would encase him at so many pairs of eyes on him disappeared as he engulfed himself in his character, and this production was no different. It was a revival of an older show: Les Amants des Étoiles, an older play with an anonymous author. It followed two married men realizing that they loved each other and having a secret affair. Unfortunately, the two men were caught and executed for adultery, but the public loved the play nonetheless. It had a musical adaptation with sorrowful, classical songs that hit people in the feels, and that is what Medkit had been cast in.
“Mylan, my love, dying by your side is such a pleasant way to die,” Medkit stated. They were almost at the end of the performance, a relief and a curse, since their next song was one of the hardest. Subspace, his co-star, picked up a rock and threw it at the other man with anger, earning gasps from the audience. Faking pain, Medkit internally smiled at the dramatic audience reaction, signifying that they were invested and receiving the moment accordingly.
“But Rainier, we’re still marked for death!” Subspace spat back. “How are you so blinded by love that you can’t see that? You’re as foolish as a child, for the love of god!”
“I don’t care that we’re dying. I’m doing it with you.” As Medkit said that, he heard the familiar first notes of their iconic duet song, and he swore he could feel the audience light up. No matter how many times a week he performed this song, it always brought him a little joy to see people hold their breath as it started.
“You’re sick, Rainier. And your sickness has gotten us killed.”
“Yes, I am sick. Sick with love.” Medkit broke into song, and Subspace put on a face of surprise, as if they hadn’t rehearsed and performed this scene plenty of times. Both of them knew every move, every line, every cue and word involved in this particular segment of the musical, yet the audience didn’t have to remember that. As Medkit performed a passionate ballad about how his love for Mylan was undying, Subspace’s expression slowly changed from shock to understanding. The teal-horned demon (whose horns had been painted black for this particular production) finished out his segment of the song, and Subspace picked up where he had left off. He was instructed to sing a bit more brashly in every other song, but softly in this one. As he lamented on about how he should’ve never taken advantage of Rainier’s love, the two stood up, doing some simple choreography that was mainly just them walking around each other. Subspace’s part finished out, and the two broke into an emotional duet, taking each other’s hands and doing a waltz. This dance was especially difficult to learn; the two kept stumbling and stepping on each other’s feet during practice, and Medkit was sure that the choreographer would’ve used a few choice words for the two of them if she weren’t staying professional. Still, they managed to get it down in time, and it paid off. Many people cited this dance as one of the most emotional parts of the play, and Medkit could hear a few people quietly sobbing, although just barely over the harmonies of the orchestra.
As the song finished, the two shared a passionate kiss, and the audience burst into applause. Medkit grabbed onto Subspace’s waist as the other man softly grabbed his face, putting on a show for the crowd. Their intimacy director had instructed them to inject an extra sense of yearning and love in this particular kiss, since it was the last one before the final scene of the musical.
Considering that the two were dating, it wasn’t really an issue doing that.
- ̇·̣̇̇·̣̣̇·̣̇̇·̇ •๑♡๑•୨୧┈┈┈୨୧•๑♡๑• ·̇·̣̇̇·̣̣̇·̣̇̇·̇
Medkit and Subspace sat in their shared dressing room, staring at the interviewer who had wanted to talk to them after a show. If Medkit was being honest, he really didn't feel like talking with the press today. Tomorrow was Monday, the only day when they didn't have to perform, and he just wanted to go home and rest. Besides, the costumes they had to wear for the last scene were incredibly uncomfortable, and he was desperate to get out of his. The reporter questioning them had a hunger in her eyes, as if she was just itching to squeeze any sort of potential gossip and profit from the two.
“Before I begin, I just want to say that I’m a huge fan of the two of you!” The reporter exclaimed, fanning one of her hands for effect. “I’m Machete, and this is my cameraman, RoMaze!” Machete gestured towards RoMaze, who silently waved.
“Sooo…” Machete leaned into the two, giving an obviously fake smile. Her microphone hovered under her mouth, and Medkit couldn’t help but notice how weirdly huge it was. It looked as if the secrets of the world were held in it. “I can see you two have a shared dressing room. Which is odd, as every role except ensemble members seems to have separate ones. Any reason for that?”
Medkit immediately realized what this interview was for. Ever since Les Amants des Étoiles had blown up, becoming one of the biggest musicals in Crossroads and receiving critical acclaim, suspicion had arisen about the relationship between him and Subspace. People began noting how realistic their romance was; many people chalked it up to the two being good actors, but others began to catch on to the truth. Of course, they denied that they were anything more than friends. They talked about made-up girlfriends whenever they could and treated the rumor as if it were something so ridiculous it wasn’t even worth being entertained. Medkit could’ve guessed that this was a secret attempt to get something spicy from the two that would act as food for conspiracy theorists.
Subspace responded to Machete’s question. “It was something suggested by our intimacy director. We needed to get comfortable with each other, since we’d have to be rubbing up on each other 24/7 during the show.” Whenever they did interviews like this, Subspace answered most of the questions, a gesture greatly appreciated by Medkit. Considering how awkward he could be offstage, he didn’t want to risk slipping up. “Yeah, I think it really helped. They suggested doing it for Noémie and Aurélie too, but the two said it wasn’t necessary.”
“I see.” Concentration knitted its way into the journalist’s expression, as if she were a hunter trying to shoot prey. “You’ve both talked about having girlfriends in the past, and I’d assume you’re still with them. Are they ok with you doing a show like this?”
“Yes. We both communicate well with our partners. They’re completely ok with what we’re doing, and sometimes they’ll even attend some of our shows in their free time.”
A smirk appeared on Machete’s face. “All this talk about girlfriends, yet neither of you have ever been seen with one. Why is that?”
Subspace made eye contact with her, the tension in the room thickening. Hell, Medkit thought he saw the cameraman shiver at the mental standoff the two seemed to be having. “Privacy, of course! The last thing I’d want is for my girlfriend to be harassed by a bunch of losers because I happen to be popular.”
Machete nodded, clearly amused by the actor challenging her. “Many fans have noticed that you two seem a little close , both onstage and even offstage. Any reason for that?”
“I mean, it’s part of our job,” Medkit responded. “We’re supposed to be playing lovers. Why wouldn’t we act like lovers onstage?”
“But what about offstage? You didn’t talk about that.”
“I think people are just being nitpicky!” Subspace shot back with a chuckle. “People see what they want to see! If they want to see us as lovers, they’ll interpret photos of us as being romantic! Simple as that!”
Machete nodded, plastering on her fake smile again. “Well, this has been a…entertaining interview. That’s all I have for you two today. Thanks for letting me interview you two!” And with that, Machete and RoMaze exited the dressing room, softly shutting the door behind them. A beat passed before Medkit let out a sigh, getting up and beginning to take off his makeup and horn paint.
“God, that was exhausting.”
“I had fun!”
“Yeah, because you like to argue with people. Remember when you cursed out that one reporter for being an asshole towards you?”
“God, my PR team almost killed me for that one.” Subspace went quiet for a second before continuing. “Speaking of PR, have you ever thought about coming out to the public?”
Medkit turned towards him, makeup wipe still in hand. “Huh?”
“You know, telling the general public that we’re dating. Maybe we should…say something? People are already suspicious, so it wouldn’t make that many waves.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Many people still loathe the idea of two people from separate factions being in a relationship. Besides, we’ve kept up this lie since the show opened. Why tell the truth now? I think we should wait until we’re out of the show. Fewer eyes on us.”
“Fiiinee. Just wish we could do PDA like all the other celebrity couples.” Subspace got up, approaching Medkit and giving him a soft kiss on the lips. “Not trying to guilt trip you. Just saying.”
The medic kissed Subspace back, smiling as he moved to his horn paint. “Yeah, I get it. Maybe we should.”