Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1- THE HOUR OF CELEBRATION
Curtain fall,
Tenna bowed deeply. Basking in the cheers of today’s audience as he bid his goodbyes. Smiling from frame to frame and chuckling deeply from the bubbling feeling of pride deep in his circuits. Some fans screamed „I LOVE THIS SHOW“ while others screamed the significant "I love TV" through the whole crowd, trying to get Tenna's attention as if it was some kind of competition. His antennae twitched gently, before he got himself back into position. Walking off the stage with a satisfied hum, in direction of the Green room. His manager, who waited backstage for him, walked close next to him. The green poncho gently flying in the speed he was walking desperately trying to keep up with his boss. Since Tenna was walking faster due to his massive legs compared to the manager. Often smiling up to Tenna, before looking back down to the Papers on his clipboard. Popping his lips before, the little one raised his head again.
"Mr. Tenna." The little one began and rose the clipboard so tenna could take it with two fingers. He was a size bigger than usually, due to all the praise he got through the audience. How could he not, when feeling so bubbly today? Looking at it briefly, before his antennae lowered down to the smaller one. Knowing that he wasn't finished talking. "Today's performance was amazing! The audience doubled through out the middle of the show!" he rose his arm with joy. "Spamton said that this should be the chance to launch the next segment soon!"
Tenna stopped in his tracks, antennae high before he held his cheek in worry. The smaller one stopped in his steps as well, head lifted to face the taller. "The next segment? So soon? I will talk with him about it. get the crew ready for the weathers" the CRT tilted his head for a moment and Battat already ran to fullfill his task. "So soon…?" he repeated seemingly to himself before looking down to the clipboard again. Antennae bouncing with curiosity, worry and anticipation. He had planned this segment with Spamton over the last 3 years. Was it finally time for it? It still felt too early to him. There‘s plenty of things to go through first- As if this wasn't the golden moment Tenna was waiting to launch it. Curious about what Spamton thought about it, he continued walking. Straight to the dressing room of his co-host friend. Before he knocked, one antennae laid against the door and simply listened. The damp sound of a pen going over paper - signing? - and a low hum came from the other side. without rethinking, Tenna knocked. "S-Spamton? Can we talk?" he asked gently, knowing that the man was always busy and couldn't really get free time from his deals, cooperation and whatever his little mailman was busy with again. most oft the time he could give Tenna a spare moment, even if its just 5 minutes. Tenna was still his boss afterall.
No answer, yet everything inside the room silenced. He must have noticed him standing there. He tried again, knocking while hoping that Spamton would finally open the door for him. "I saw the ratings from today's performance and I am quite surprised that you were right again! Wow… I should listen to you more when you say that the ratings would double!- By the way… Battat told me you wanted to start with the new segment? Isn't it still too early for that? Toriel is not home the whole time - due to her job as a teacher- and only watching for about 30 minutes a day. In my opinion it wouldn't make sense at all...."
No answer, no movement from the other side of the door. Tenna gripped the clipboard tighter with irritation. Even if he was sure that he heard Spamton mumble something.
Antennae drooping as his frame shrank. Normally Spamton would answer with that loud and bold voice of his, no matter what Tenna wanted from him. Was he too soft? Should he raise his voice? He didn't like the idea of screaming at Spamton for not answering him. This would be too selfish. Egoistical even. Spamton was allowed to have his alone time as well- no matter how much it pained tenna. Everyone could get busy, heck even too busy to even hear someone. Tenna knows this feeling too damn well. Just with what did Spamton get so worked up that he actively ignores him?
He knocked again, this time louder and with more force. Leaving his hand against the door this time, feeling the smooth surface of the material it was built of. Staring, if you could call it staring, at the star that decorated the door in a shiny gold with Spamtons imprinted name. "Why aren't you talking to me?" he asked boldly, without hesitation. He was getting mad. Mad because he wasn‘t getting the answer he wanted to hear from the other side of the door. Now, without waiting another minute, finally he got an answer.
"I‘m kinda busy Tens, stop bothering me. 'Tis is important." Spamton's voice sounded monotone, as if he was reading through something. Not bothered, not interested. He usually doesn't talk to him that way. The CRT tilted his head away from the door, growling gently. Having enough of this useless back and forth- minus the forth. He gave the clipboard one last look before he dropped it in front of the door. Not bothered anymore about this situation.
"Alright! Good! Then you can do this segment alone! Have a look at it yourself then! WITHOUT ME! I am not working together with such an asshole!" Tenna walked off with crossed arms. Not allowing his softer emotions to take over. This was a moment he had to stand tall for and stay true to the emotions he currently felt inside his chest. Since after all, he was in the total right to do so. Spamton was everything to him, one darkner he learned to respect, to love and even appreciate. Never, he had a situation like this with him. Nor imagined it. It was a new interaction, he from now on will appreciate. Yet, wishes that it won't happen again.
"He will come crawling back to me…. Once he realises how he treated me. Who does he think he is!? Does he even know who I AM?!" he pouted while sitting down in the green room to go over scrips for the next day. "Asshole…" Without even looking at the time, he rehearsed the script for 5 hours. Trying to calm his thoughts about the Addison he usually felt completely connected with.
Lanino and Elnina sat down left and right from him, smiling big time at him. Tenna rose his antennae towards both, noticing that it was quite late. Has it really been 5 hours, or did he overdo it once again? "Oh, Mr. Tenna! Is that a new tie??" Elnina pointed at the yellow tie, which Tenna wore. Holding her cheek with her free hand. "Sunny yellow is the most stylish Yellow there is! And the patterns seem to be new as well!" Tenna felt how his cheeks slowly got warmer, making his antennae twirl together. Someone noticed it! Someone finally noticed his bold but groovy fashion choice!
"O-Oh! you noticed! Yes! I thought I should try something new today!" he was at a loss of words. However, he held his cheek and smiled gently. This was a nice change of pace.
"Come on, Mr. Tenna! Everyone would notice when you wear new clothes or even new gloves! The most fashionable man, ALWAYS wears the new stuff!" Lanino rose his and and grinned through his teeth. "And everything you wore so far was most inspiring to us all."
Tenna held the side of his CRT and chuckled. He couldn't believe that the two would think this from him. Making him forget about the anger he felt before in a blink of an eye. "Ahhww you two! You're making me blush!"
All three chuckled and the weathers took carefully the script out of his hands. Giving him a silent sign of `That's enough for today, Tenna‘. He appreciated everything they did, everyone in this studio. He knew it wasn't easy for a lot of the employees in here to get along with him. Additionally, when his temper or other emotions get the better of him. However, he was glad that they all knew how thankful he was for every single last one in here.
With smooth movements, Tenna was already standing, each arm on one shoulder of the weathers. Both brought him to his room and still talked about how much they appreciate Tenna's company in their everyday life. How much he puts on risk for them and how generous he is. Tenna chuckled here and there, feeling that he had a bit of trouble holding the weathers, due to his growing size . Smiling at both of them, before he stopped right in front of his door. "I thank you two very much for this quite lovely moment! Buuuuut- I should head into my quarters now…" he folded his hands together, while tilting it to the other side. Smiling big, gentle and warm towards the two of them. "I see you two tomorrow!" he leaned a bit forward, down to the two of them.
Both weathers nodded while bowing and returning to the greenroom. Tenna on the other hand kept the smile up until he closed the door. There, his antennae sunk and the smile twitched at the corners. Everything today went smoothly, he shouldn't be so glooby about a simple miscommunication. Yet, it was Spamton he was taking about. A miscommunication could be the downfall for their partnership. With heavy steps, he moved himself through the room, hanging the swallowtail coat after taking it off. Stroking his own screen on one side, as if he would wipe hair away. Sitting down by the table, lifting papers and staring at the blank pages. A script awaited him. A script that was still meant to be written by him.
After he finally managed to clear his mind, he flattened the pages on his table, picked up his pen and…
a loud knock sounded. His antennae rose immediately after he realized who it probably was by the sound of the knock. However, he did not say anything. He was still mad at him, and he did not deserve any attention at this time. Without his approval, the door opened, heels treading inside to close the door again. Tenna stayed silent. No words, no sign of acknowledgement that he knew that he was there. "Hey, big guy!" Spamton spoke up, swinging himself onto the smaller chair next to Tenna's, grinning with his typical smile at Tenna. "How was today's show?"
Tenna had a hard time focusing, pressing his lips together and lowered his Antennae. "Great." came out too fast and too strained than he normally would let out. Not facing the other, to not fall for any emotional traps. Tenna always fell for them in a blink of an eye. After all, he had a sweet spot for Spamton.
Spamton lowered one brow and chuckled confused. "Hey hey hey! What's the fuss now, pal? You know that you can tell your good old friend Spamton G. Spamton everything that bothers you!" Tenna bit his teeth. Finally looking at Spamton and smiling a bit more forced than he needed to.
"Oh! You know! It was just like you said!"
"Tens… what did I do now? Your behaviour’s kinda off.." Spamton stood up from the chair and climbed with less effort onto the table, enough to be on eye height with Tenna. Seemingly awaiting what Tenna wants to say next.
The CRT sunk his head, lowered his antennae and exhaled with tension. "After the show I came to you since Battat said that you think its time to launch the new segment.. I wanted to talk with you about it since I was against it but… You were.. acting weird. I didn't like that!" he looked up to face the smaller one in front of him. "I did not like the tone you gave me as well as the way you talked to me."
Spamton looked irritated, then opened the mouth gently before widening his eyes. As much as Tenna saw were those the eyes of realization. "Oh! It was you! I didn‘t realize who it was!"
"You…said my name Spamton…what.." he finally stood up and rose one hand in the air. Screen flickering. "THE FUCK YOU MEAN YOU DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS ME!?" Tenna felt hurt. Hurt that Spamton deliberately lied to him about what happened back there. He couldn't believe that Spamton came to him, just to bring this. This wasn't what he wanted from him. What he wanted was..
"I’m sorry okay?" Spamton began while holding his hands up defensively almost like he‘s at gun-point. "I was in a call while writing stuff down and I couldn't just get away form it! Do you have any idea how important those phone calls are to me?!"
Tenna finally lowered his shoulders and exhaled once more filled with deep tension. Finally, he got a reason why he was reacting that way. Tenna wanted nothing more. "Alright. Alright… was it so hard to tell me this?? I`d understand this better than `I am busy tens-`in the most adverse way possible…?" he sunk down to his chair again, running his hand over the top of his head to wipe his antennae down, yet they jumped back into place.
Spamton signed heavy, shaking his head without saying anything first. Knowing that if he would say something wrong, he might get thrown out of the room. "If you only knew Tens… if you knew.." he whispered under his breath before he sat down on the table, spread out legs like he owns the place. "I was thinking this might get Toriel to watch TV-Time more!"
"She wouldn't. Not in these times… She is still a teacher and holidays are far away from where we are currently. She only watches TV for 30 minutes a day…" Tenna added before Spamton was able to say anything else in between. "She wouldn't return to THIS just because a new segment will hit the channels.. she is too busy.." his antennae sinking before he folded his hands together and smiled with a hurt smile at him. "Only a miracle would save this now…but before that, we might stop hitting the max ratings for the day. It was a lucky guess for you that today will be perfect and smooth.. however, how can we be so sure that it will stay that way now since Asgore is gone?"
Spamton looked at him, pressing his lips together and swallowed deeply. Probably agreeing to what Tenna just said. The feathers stood up, making him play around with his fingers. "D-Don't say that, Tens! I’m sure those ratings will raise higher once more! I just know it!"
"How can you be so sure about something that you can't control, Spamton?" Tenna held his head while exhaling to the side. rubbing the frame of his head. Feeling a pounding headache slowly form. "enough talking about this… its all just so… glooby. How was your day?" the CRT turned his "Gaze" towards the guy on the table. Hoping that he took the hint.
Thankful for the change of topic, Spamton grinned widely and rose one then both arms into the air. "Oh you know! Deals here and there, people want your ass Tens! And I mean it literally! People ask for the next free appointment to have you in their show!" he pointed at Tens, who had his antennae lifted, while one frame brow was sunken. He was curious, interested and confused. "They want your face in their show! They all want TV-"
Tenna held Spamton's mouth shut, smiling sweetly at the Addison underneath him. Antennae looming forwards, only daring to touch Spamton by his hair. "Spammy…" he whispered, shaking his head before taking his hand away again. "I asked about you… how are YOU doing? How was YOUR day?"
"Oh.." Spamton breathed out. Smiling gently to the side. "Uh- I woke up a bit stressed today cuz I had ta‘ go to cyberworld and I did not… I tell you DID NOT want to run into my siblings… Now guess what happened." He rose one hand again. Lower this time before raising the whole arm again and answered before Tenna could answer. "I ran into them and had to listen to Clicks awful monologue" He slowly leaned back onto his other arm and sunk his other for stabilization. Huffing before continuing his little rant. "After that I had to do some nick nak here and there…making sure the Tv-Time advertisements ran smoothly. After I came back into the studio I was overthrown with sponsor applications and I had to call and.. it was all so stressful today.. All in one… I`m.. exhausted."
Tenna nodded here and there to show Spamton that he was listening. Giving his ultimate attention. Happy, that he can distract himself from other thoughts like this. Listening to his little mailman while working was once thing he loved most. "I can imagine…" he began before dimming his screen. "It's late, Spammy… We should go to bed." Without hesitation or even questioning Tenna, Spamton jumped from the table. Lifting one hand to wave, before he stopped in his tracks in front of the door. Glancing one last time at his boss.
"see ya tomorrow?"
"See you tomorrow, Spammy.."
Tenna waved with a gentle smile until the door fell shut. After that he held his mouth shut and sat down on his bed. It was after all a very exhausting day, he admitted. While he laid back to feel the fabric of his pillow underneath him, he thought back to the times where Toriel was sitting 24/7 in front of the TV. Watching with Asgore, Asriel and Kris. Oh how much he loves that human child. No matter if he looks like the Dreemurr's or not, Kris was as much part of the family as the other ones. He is perfect the way he is. With those positive memories, he deactivated his screen on standby mode. Hopefully he can sleep through the whole night this time.
In the middle of the night, constant static sounded from the CRT. Movements that could tell someone that he did not sleep well at all. Whining gently, fans spinning cautiously. Tenna rose with a sudden jump from his bed, finding it pointless to continue sleeping, when he would wake up every 5 minutes. Something seemed to bother him. Yet, he couldn't pinpoint where it actually came from. He gently pulled his antennae to think clearly what he could do now. It was after all, still in the middle of the night. No one was up at this time, he knew it. A quick view on his schedule and Tenna already dressed himself for the day. Before he went out of the room his attention got pulled towards the mirror. While correcting his collar and tie, he thought about the things Spamton said earlier. "…They want me… in their show..?" he let it run over his lips to feel those words on his tongue. Shaking his head whilst letting out a snort. "Yeah sure… no. Who is hosting TV-Time while I`d be gone?" he once again tilted his head, knowing that no one would have the energy he has on stage. It was his purpose after all, his very existence. Being on stage and make the audience, HIS Lightners happy. Now, without overthinking too much he walked out of the room and wandered towards the green room. Tenna took his empty pages and pen with him, to continue what he failed to start the evening before. He still had to write a script for today's show, an important one to that.
Swift movements, effortless thinking and non-stop writing built a budding script onto the before-empty paper. Hours went by, Coffee mug after coffee mug slowly collected themselves on the table. Soft mumbles escaped the CRT while he was rereading the lines. It has to be perfect after all. Nothing that's not perfect has no place in his world.
"Good morning, Luv! didn't expect ya up so early today!" a gentle yet firm voice made its way through the green room, towards the bar. Tenna rose his head, staring at Ramb for about 2 minutes before smiling gently. Knowing that Ramb was one of the first ones up every day. Sometimes, he even asks himself how ramb manages to wake up with such joy.
"Good morning to you too, Ramb! I uh… I had trouble sleeping and didn't know what else to do…" The CRT sat up to lean over the couch backrest, watching how Ramb got everything ready for the day. The plug boy nodded a few times while looking at Tenna, before moving over to clean the glasses. "Today isn't a long day anyway! So it has to be perfect." Tenna added before biting his lip. Narrowing his gaze to the script, which he stroked with one finger. Holding it as if it was the most precious thing in TV-World. "It has to be…" he repeated. Ramb, rose a brow and tilted his head before he started to talk.
"Ya kno' Kris as much as I do, Luv… There is no need for too much effort… Kris will luv it anyway!"
"I- I know! It's just important to me…" Tenna whined before laying back into the couch whilst holding his screen. "I want it to be flawless.. I- my hope is still there that they’ll come back to watch me…"
Ramb started with the "Tenna- I-" before something smaller than his frame sat down next to him on the couch. The smell of cigarettes filled the air and a low hum filled the silence. Tenna's antennae peaqued with the calm being next to him. A hand was touching his, stroking it with intended gentleness. "Already so worked up, Tens? We don't even have 8 am!" Spamton laughed with a hidden worry. Tenna felt it in the vibration of the laughter. The Showman, rose his head towards Spamton, who had his typical half lidded eyes and stunning grin face expression on the face.
Tenna shook his head. He didn't want to make such a scene this early in the morning. "Its.. nothing to worry about, Big shot." A gentle smile formed on the taller ones screen, dimming the brightness to not blind the other. Without him wanting it, a few flickers were in-between. "Just my typical spiraling thoughts." He waved with his hands in front of himself before he sat up completely, leaving Spamton more space to sit down. Who, immediately scooted closer to Tenna. Glancing up with the big eyes of interest. Without words, Tenna understood what Spamton asked. "The weathers will start today. Then we will have our talk and cooking show…" his hands glided over the paper, speed reading the script to give Spamton an insight. Turning page after page, before nodding with gentleness. Reassuring himself that he wasn't done yet. "After that will your commercial ads happen. We have sponsors of a new drink…"
The CRT grabbed a bottle from behind the couch and handed it to Spamton. The man immediately widened his eyes and stared at it with a grin. "Not to fast, Spammy." Tenna wagged with one finger in a waiting motion. "They want you to use your full energy to make the best ad you can do." He read through the papers he got the drinks with. "And maybe… a bit spicy?" His antennae rose in interest. Leaning a bit closer tot he papers to read it. "Spicy? Are they insane?? Its the middle of the day…kids are watching the show…" he muttered under his breath. Not sure if what he was currently reading was needed.
"Oh don't you worry, Tens!" Spamton slapped his shoulder gently in a bantering matter. Grinning up to him with his usual slyness. "I know exactly what the Audience wants from me." He pointed at himself in pure pride before he opened the bottle to taste-test it. "wo-ho-hoah! That's the stuff…" a small clearing of his throat followed as he still licked over his lips to taste the flavor, making sure he got it right. Without hesitation he handed it over to the CRT. "Try that stuff, Tens! Its not as bad as i thought!" He held the upper part of the bottle towards Tenna, who was unsure first, yet, he took the bottle and drank a powerful sip from it. Brow/frame rising "Its not as strong as Battery Acid.. yet it has a little floral taste on it!"
His vision turned blurry for a second, his screen flicking to static for a short while. Tenna felt weightless, nice even. Before he needed a hand to hold himself against Spamton to come back to realty and gravity. He has to control himself before the show. He cant be drunk on stage. "That's… HIC strong…" Tenna hiccuped as he held his mouth before the next hiccup left his body. He felt his fans spin slower, preparing for the impact that never comes. He wouldn't drink himself blind before a show. Hopefully, his body won't be a late bloomer with this drink and let him feel drunk on stage. He was usually a good drinker and it takes normally a few glasses until he feels even tipsy. Howsoever, he‘s never tried this type of drink before- it sure didn‘t seem like his usual drink. A different flavour, a different punch, a different amount of alcohol. So the only thing he could do right now, was hoping that this single sip won‘t bite him in the ass later.
"told ya!" Spamton shot some finger-guns at him. "I get it now- why they wanted a spicy ad i mean. drink a whole bottle and ya forget where you’re standin’ “ Spamton stared at the bottle before his gaze went back up to meet Tenna again. Staring holes in him, before a small grin formed on his lips. "I need you for the ad, Cathode. People always scream when they see you and… you taking off clothes…"he waved his hands around, blushing gently. The CRT was hoping that it was from the alcohol and not what he just said. Even tho, he would understand everyone who has a crush on him. Everyone loves him after all. Yet, he can't see it with Spamton. They have worked together now for the past 10 years. He was his closest friend, business partner and co-host of the show. If they would come together, people would hate them, would hate Tenna. He can't have that. Although, he had to admit that Spamton was handsome. Maybe a bit too handsome for his own ego.
(EDITOR VEIL OF DOOM )
"… me?" Tenna pointed at himself. "Me on stage, practically stripping for the Audience? I don't know Spammy. It's not the evening program yet…" Tenna held his cheek, not ready to do something he would regret later. However, Spamton was also right with one thing. Whenever he took off his swallowtail coat or came in with different clothing that were not his full covering Showman outfits, the audience went wild… his arms were visible? Screams. He had a short button-shirt on? Screams… dad beach outfit? The fun meter was going insane. He seems to understand slowly why Spamton would need him for the act. More views, more likes… more them. It was nothing new for Tenna as well, Spamton always wants Tenna to take off clothes in their acts. That's why, he had to rewrite a lot in the last few years because he cant just do it all the time.
Tenna noticed a pattern, whenever he is on stage. When he is alone on stage, people love him the way he is, yet, when Spamton joins they all go crazy. Would it be so bad now, doing an advertisement with him, where they would probably end up kissing or touching each others body? By that thought, his screen started to turn pink. The fans, turned themselves one setting higher up. Only to cool down the screen. He never kissed anyone before. Actually kissing. Smooches on the cheek, that he can give, without even feeling awful or complicated. Just an actual kiss? Make out? He never done that before. The antennae twirled together by the thought of making out on stage. He'd never done that before.
"Ya're so quiet, Cathode! What's the matter?" Spamton touched his shoulder, looking up to him with the big worried eyes. "If ya think ya can't do it, it's fine? It was just an offer, or a silent question if ya could assist me in that. I can also get other people to do that, that's not the problem 'o so."
"I want to, Spammy! I really do! I just… I need to… know what you… need me to do.. clearly. I never.. uh… did such things on stage before.." Tenna hummed nervously, before he handed Spamton the paper and pen. Both staring at each other for a while before the smaller one took what he was offered. Letting him write down his thoughts. The thoughts where he needed Tenna to be. Tenna grabbed his mug and finished his coffee, which was cold by now. Forgetting the drink while working wasn't an unusual thing for him. It was the most common thing he could think of. Being buried deep in the work, planning even, you forget everything around you. Even yourself- In the end, he watched his business partner, write everything down that came to his mind. While doing so, Tenna has to admit that he looks attractive while being concentrated like this. He never looked at Spamton from that side before. If he would be honest, Spamton would be even his type! With a swift and smooth handshake he tried to get those thoughts out of his head. He couldn't think like this about his friend. Spamton is much different than him and overall, not into men. He made that clear on screen AND behind the sets himself. If he would be a woman would it look different? Slowly he lifted his hand, juts to hit it against his head. Clearing his thoughts.
Spamton rose his gaze from the papers and tilted his head ever so quiet. Before he was able to say something, his eyes wandered down to the papers again. "Are ya okay, Tens?" his voice came out more quiet, once the head lifted again. Eyes moving very slightly left to right and back. Trying to find Tenna's lie in the words that come in the next second. Though, Tenna shook his head smiling, leaning more down to him and pointed at the Papers in the smaller ones hand. Asking quietly about it, which Spamton seem to understand. "Do you have a black suit? no yes, you have one.. Once we first met, you had one on… I need you to wear that when we start the ad."
"What's the idea, big shot?" he slowly sunk his antennae to hear him better. While Spamton was explaining it, he also kind of showed the way of specific moments. Tenna followed each single movements, doing them already well practiced, as if this was nothing new for him. Even when it was indeed new for him. Every approval of Spamton's got Tenna squeaking. The CRT loves praise, if not already noticed. If he wouldn't be in charge today, he would have listened to sweet nothings over and over again.
"Then I think ya're ready for today's ad, Mr. "Ant" Tenna! T'is is going to be flawless." Spamton stood up to stand on the couch to be on eye hight.making the okay signs with his hands, while his face showed full satisfaction. His little tail wagging left and right, up and down to express the emotion he was currently feeling. Tenna clapped his hands together, knowing that it would go flawless anyway. Somehow, Spamton had a talent on the stage he never thought he had, and yet, it feels very off to him. He never got to know Spamton's full past. Only that he and his siblings were always fighting and he came to TV-World to be his own man. This was everything he was told by Spamton or even Ramb. However, Tenna felt that this wasn't the full story of what Spamton is doing here, or on stage.
Cyberworld is a much more interactive world. If he would have stayed there, Tenna was sure that Spamton would have come far. Even further than his siblings. Yet, he came to TV-World out of all places. Why?