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“Are you ready yet, Spamton? We're due to start soon!”
“Don't get your antennas in a twist! Just... gimme a minute, okay?”
“Okay...”
Tenna paced back-and-forth outside of the TV Time studio changing room, waiting for Spamton to emerge. Tenna had recently proposed an idea to his co-host – Valentine's Day was just a week away, so the CRT had suggested doing a Valentine's-themed photoshoot to promote TV Time's upcoming Valentine's Day Special. Spamton immediately jumped at the idea; after all, this was a golden opportunity to promote himself at the same time, which is something that he would never turn down. He was a BIG SHOT, after all. And he revelled in seeing his face absolutely everywhere.
Tenna stopped pacing, taking a moment to check his outfit in a nearby large mirror. A pale pink suit, bearing a bright red heart-shaped pin on the lapel of the jacket. He adjusted his sparkly pink top hat as he waited for Spamton, whipping around quickly as soon as he heard the changing room's door click open.
The salesman stepped out with a smile. He was wearing a perfectly matching outfit, albeit in a much smaller size than Tenna's.
The CRT looked down at Spamton, feeling himself becoming a little warmer...
Maybe the heating has been turned up? Tenna wondered as he tried to rationalise it. If he was honest with himself, though, he knew exactly what was happening. Of course he did! He'd known for a very long time, but he was too afraid to admit it to Spamton – or, indeed, to himself. So instead, he buried the thought as always and decided to just focus on the task at-hand.
“Spamton!” he said brightly, “Are you ready to go? You... you look-”
“I know, I know!” The salesman interjected loudly with a laugh, waving his hand in the air, “I look RIDICULOUS! We both do! But it's good marketing, Ant! People are gonna LOVE this!”
Tenna nodded, gesturing down the corridor. “Shall we get going, then? We don't want to keep the photographer waiting any longer, do we?”
“Ready when you are! Lead the way...”
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The duo soon arrived at the part of the studio which was reserved for photoshoots. A green screen was set up against the back wall, and an array of Valentine's-related props were haphazardly scattered across a long table in the centre of the room. There was also a garish red couch close to the green screen, which Tenna had requested for this shoot.
“Ooo la la. You both look wonderful!” exclaimed Shuttah, who had been eagerly awaiting the pair's arrival. Spamton had initially wanted to use a photographer from Cyber City to do this; but, as with all of Tenna's photoshoots, he had insisted that TV World's very own Shuttah was by far the best camerathing for the job.
“Thanks, Shuttah,” Tenna mumbled in reply, not entirely convinced that it was being truthful. Spamton was right, they did both look ridiculous – but then again, that was the whole point, wasn't it? Some fun and whimsy for Valentine's Day, it didn't need to be anything formal or serious. Tenna couldn't understand why this was all beginning to bother him so much. He walked over to where the props had been laid out, swallowing heavily as he looked at them all. Fake boxes of chocolates, huge bouquets of red roses, gift wrapped boxes in varying sizes...
He reached out a trembling had and slowly picked up one of the bouquets, holding it in a death grip.
Oh God, what is WRONG with me?! He thought, quickly placing the flowers back onto the table again. He glanced over to Spamton and felt his stomach do a somersault.
“You okay over there, Tens?” Spamton asked.
“Oh! Y-yes, I am,” Tenna replied awkwardly, “Shall we get this started?”
“Sounds good to me!” Spamton said enthusiastically, grabbing a gift box from the table and striding over to the green screen.
The shoot started out as well as everyone could have hoped. They staged many a romantic scene: Spamton offering a gift to a shocked-looking Tenna; the pair of them grinning at each other while holding huge bouquets behind their backs; sitting next to each other on the couch and sharing the fake chocolates...
“We need just one more photo,” Shuttah announced once it was happy with the photographs that it had taken up until this point, “Do either of you have any ideas to try? Something that just screams LOVE!”
“Yeah, I have an idea!” Spamton exclaimed after a beat, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He picked up one of the bouquets before turning to Tenna, “Lift me up, Ant! Hold me in your arms, bridal-style! It'll be hilarious!! HAEHAEHAEHAE!!!”
Tenna failed to see the funny side, trying in vain to ignore his co-hosts raucous laughter. His legs were beginning to tremble and an unmistakable blush was splashed across his screen. Once again, those familiar feelings began bubbling up to the surface, leaving Tenna with no choice but to try and push them back down again.
“Ooo la la. That is simply amazing!” Shuttah said, grinning at the duo enthusiastically.
Tenna sighed, crouching down and holding out his shaking hands. Spamton ran towards the CRT and leapt into his arms; Tenna quickly scooped him up and held him close. Very close. The television's mind was in a spin, a relentless whirlwind that consumed him entirely.
Oh my God, is this really happening? I shouldn't have agreed to this!! But, it feels so RIGHT. It's almost like...
No. It's not real. It's just showbiz! It's acting!! It's..
It's nothing. It's meaningless! Get ahold of yourself, Tenna.
It means nothing...
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With the photoshoot finally wrapped up, the duo began making their way back to the Green Room to briefly unwind before their next show.
“Those photos are gonna be a smash hit, Tens!” Spamton kept saying, “Especially that last one! The way you made your screen pink, like a fake blush, REALLY sold it!!”
“Ha, yeah...” Tenna responded extremely quietly, staring at the floor as he walked, “Fake...”
I can't tell him! I just can't!!
Once they arrived at the Green Room, Spamton immediately made a beeline for the drinks cabinet. He grabbed two glasses and a bottle of liquor, taking them over to the couch nearby. He flopped into the soft seat, placing the drink and glasses onto the small table that was positioned in front of the couch. Tenna hesitated in the doorway for a moment, slipping his tailcoat and gloves off, before hanging them up and joining his co-host.
Spamton reached forward and poured two drinks. Taking one into his hand, he had a swig before turning to grin at Tenna.
Tenna's legs began to tremble once more. There was just something about Spamton's smile – that huge, toothy, award-winning smile – that made the CRT's mechanical heart skip a beat every single time he beheld it. How lucky he was, to have a partner like that...
Business partner, Tenna thought to himself, We're just business partners!
He shifted slightly in his seat, becoming acutely aware of the pink hue that was now beginning to emanate from his screen again. No matter how hard he tried, he was unable to shake off the feeling that was sitting heavily in the pit of his stomach. Nor could he get himself to think about anything other than reaching over to Spamton and...
Tenna cleared his throat loudly, causing Spamton to raise an eyebrow.
“You okay, Ant?” The Addison asked, tilting his head on one side, “You've been acting real weird all day!”
The CRT jolted, the sound of his business partner's voice breaking him out of his train of thought.
“Of- of course!” Tenna stammered unconvincingly in reply, wringing his hands, “I'm completely fine!”
“If you say so, big guy,” Spamton responded with another big smile, sending Tenna's heart into overdrive.
Get. A. Grip!!! Tenna furiously scolded himself, getting ever more flustered by the second. He moved his now-clawed hands to his sides, digging them into the couch as he desperately tried to keep himself grounded.
This did not go unnoticed by Spamton. The salesman carefully placed his drink on the table and turned around to face Tenna directly.
“Tenna,” he said, “You're obviously NOT okay. Is something bothering you. I... I can leave if you want me to.”
“No!” Tenna exclaimed more eagerly than he had intended to, “No, there's no need for you to leave! Please don't go. I... I like having you around, Spamton. I REALLY like having you around.”
The words tumbled from Tenna's mouth before he could stop them, and Spamton's eyes widened in spite of himself. Tenna could have sworn that the faintest hint of a blush was now starting to make itself known on the salesman's face.
“Well, that's, uh... that's good to know!” Spamton said awkwardly, running a hand through his hair as the blush began to become much more prominent, “I... I guess the feeling is mutual, Tens.”
Spamton swiftly made a grab for his drink, taking a huge gulp before bringing the glass back down with a loud clatter.
“That Valentine's Day photoshoot...” Tenna murmured, “It was... it was just silly, right? It wasn't... It didn't actually MEAN anything, did it?”
“Oh God, is THAT what's been bothering you?!” Spamton asked, his face somehow turning even more red than his trademark suit jacket, “Yeah, it... was nothing, Ant! It was just marketing! Good advertising! Y'know?! It was YOUR idea too, wasn't it? But maybe I shouldn't have been so full-on, I didn't realise it'd make you uncomfortable...”
Spamton took a huge and shaky breath. Tenna gazed at him, observing how the little Addison appeared to be getting extremely nervous.
“Spamton, I-”
“Did you WANT it to mean something?” The salesman suddenly blurted out, his gaze fixed intently at the floor as he spoke.
“Wh-what?!” Tenna spluttered, “I- I mean...”
The CRT knew exactly what he wanted to say. He knew exactly how he felt, no matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise. But... what if Spamton didn't feel the same way? He'd make a fool of himself! He'd ruin their friendship, their partnership!
After a moment of consideration and reflection which felt like it lasted for an eternity, Tenna made a decision. He knew that he and Spamton had something special; a bond unlike anything that the CRT had with any other person. He knew that there was only one way to find out if Spamton felt the same way, and he needed to seize this opportunity before it was too late. After all, why else would Spamton have brought this up, unless...
“Yes,” Tenna mumbled shakily, not tearing his gaze away from Spamton, “Yes, I- I did want it to mean something.”
Spamton's full attention was back on Tenna now, as he stared at the television in wide-eyed disbelief. His throat was dry and he could feel himself shaking slightly, his heart threatening to beat out of his chest. He paused, carefully considering his choice of words, before replying quietly...
“Heh. Yeah, me too.”
The big shot persona fizzled away as he spoke, allowing himself to be completely vulnerable and genuine in that moment. Bearing his soul to the one person who meant everything to him, even if he'd never dared to admit that before now.
Silence hung in the air between the two Darkners as they stared at each other. Both visibly flustered and seemingly at a loss for words. Slowly, gently, Tenna moved his hand and placed it on top of Spamton's, which had been resting on the couch. The salesman shuddered, wordlessly shuffling slightly closer towards Tenna. The CRT learned in towards Spamton, his free hand instinctively moving to cup the Addison's cheek tenderly. And then – finally – Tenna moved in to kiss him on the lips.
A gentle kiss, which both of them had been waiting so long to experience. Spamton gasped, placing a hand on Tenna's leg as he reciprocated. The salesman jumped when he felt Tenna's other arm move behind him, pulling him in closer still. Spamton reached up, putting his hands on either side of Tenna's screen, parting his lips to allow the kiss to become more passionate, tightening his grip on Tenna as he revelled in wave after wave of static electricity from the CRT's screen...
Tenna put his other hand behind Spamton, clinging on to him and never wanting to let him go. He had dreamed of this moment for so very long, holding back tears as he revelled in his partner's gentle touch, allowing months and months of pent-up feelings to come spilling out like a tidal wave, moving a hand to run through Spamton's soft hair, drinking in every single part of his perfect little mailman...
Suddenly, Spamton felt something large and soft prod him in the face. He yelped, pulling away from Tenna and staring at him – before bursting into laughter.
A massive red flower had bloomed on the end of Tenna's nose.
“Oh God, I'm sorry!” Tenna spluttered, realising immediately what had happened. He tried to cover his screen with this hands, “I'm so sorry, I-”
“It's okay, Ant!” Spamton chuckled in reply, looking at his partner in a blissful haze before continuing awkwardly, “Is that a Valentine's flower for me? You shouldn't have!”
Tenna began to chuckle, “No, I'm sorry, I- I'll get you a proper Valentine's gift.”
“I was joking, but... uh... thanks,” Spamton said, unable to stop smiling, “I'll get something for you, too.”
They couldn't help but laugh at the sight of each other; both completely dishevelled, Spamton's hair sticking out at right-angles from the static electricity, and Tenna's screen still emitting a pink glow behind the flower on his nose. Neither of them could quite believe that this was happening. That their feelings were completely mutual, and that they were finally able to express them to each other.
An abrupt knock on the Green Room door brought them both instantly back to reality.
“Mr Tenna! Mr Spamton! We're on in 30!”
The couple looked at each other in horror. They had completely forgotten about the show!
“Thanks, we- we'll be there!” Tenna replied as calmly as he could while Spamton held in his laughter.
After a beat, the CRT sighed. “We'd better get ready, then.”
“Oh, c'mon, Ant!” Spamton replied, leaning back into his partner and nuzzling into his chest, “We've got plenty of time! Shall we give it ten more minutes?”
“That sounds good,” Tenna replied quietly, putting his arms gently around Spamton, holding onto him like he was the most precious thing in the entire world.
Everything about this moment felt perfect; and they both knew, as they sat together in a warm embrace, that this would just be the first of very many more to come.