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“I don’t know,” Ryland stared into the pan of sizzling bacon and eggs. The smell wafted around his living space, and with the morning light peeking through the remaining gap that the curtain didn’t cover from the window, all Ryland wanted to do was go back to sleep.
What would he do without his beloved coffee machine?
Tom froze and stared at the back of Ryland’s hair, “What do you mean ‘I don’t know’? I was asking if you want to go see the shoot.” He muttered silently, “You know, the scene I’ve been anticipating? To be in? Where I say some really smart lines?”
Ryland shuffled to the coffee machine with a mug and pressed the button that would release the delicious liquid into the ceramic cup. He sipped it silently, “That is exactly what I mean. I don’t know if I want to or can go or not.” Ryland let out a relieved sigh as the espresso started to work its magic. His brain was finally waking up.
He quickly went back to the pan to flip the bacon and check if the eggs were burnt or not. Tom watched Ryland with a scrutinising stare, “What could be more important than my– I mean your brother’s stunts?”
He put his mug down on the dining table. After he plated the food, Ryland went to get the crispy bread from the toaster and the butter and jam from the fridge. He placed himself next to Tom, who was sitting at the dining table. Ryland looked at him with raised eyebrows, crossing his legs together.
“You’re using Colt to bait me again.”
Tom stared at Ryland, blinking a few times before he bursted out laughing, “Me? Use Colt to bait you? Psssh– never!”
Ryland grabbed at his mug and sipped his coffee silently while staring into Tom’s eyes. He figured Tom would fold eventually. This kind of facade doesn’t last long, especially under the pressure.
Here comes the stagger, Ryland thought. He could see the faltering in Tom’s eyes. Ryland picked up a butterknife from the table and opened the jar of marmalade. He carefully spread the jam and butter over the bread and took a bite.
Mm. Taste of heaven.
“...is it wrong to want you to come watch me act?”
Ah. He’s going for the guilt-tripping this time.
Ryland chewed through his bread with an unimpressed look as he stared at Tom. “Why did you phrase it like it has to be me that wants to go when it’s you that wants me to go?”
He placed the toast down on the plate and decided to use a fork to put bacon in his mouth, “Better question yet,” he chewed for a bit and swallowed the bacon, “Why are you even here? You barge into my apartment at the crack of dawn and make yourself at home, now you act like a toddler that is not getting what they want.” He furrowed his eyebrows.
He bit back the rest of his snarky words. He was somewhat starting to get why Colt didn’t want him to become friends with Tom. Most of the time Tom’s behaviour is fine, but fudging ice cream he is a pro at pissing Ryland off when he needs to.
Ryland counts himself as a kind person. But morning Ryland and the-rest-of-the-day Ryland are not the same person. Especially nice mornings like this where he would usually scroll through the new science news that would come up on his computer. Where he would enjoy the silence, and marvel at the golden light shining through his window.
And here he is, stuck with a whining Tom Ryder too egoistical to want to admit proudly that he wants Ryland to come watch. This was a far-cry from when they first met. Ryland really thought that Tom was a smug, arrogant person back then. Now that he’s befriended the man his twin brother loathes, his perspectives have been changed significantly.
All he sees is a toddler. A 10-year old at best.
–
Tom is albeit a little distracted by Ryland’s hair. The sunlight bouncing off the fluffiness of the blond stalks were ethereal. Not to mention those blue eyes…
No, Thomas. You have to defend yourself. Your reputation with Ryland is at stake! Don’t be distracted by his beauty!
Tom cleared his throat, “First off, I thought a real life confrontation would help me convince you more instead of some measly words on a phone. Or a call. Or a video call.” Tom nodded to himself, “It doesn’t beat being face-to-face.” He crossed his arms, hoping it would help him appear more self-assured. “And…”
Tom really didn’t want to admit he wanted to be cool in front of Ryland. That would ruin being cool– in front of Ryland!
But what choice does the poor he have?
“...and I didn’t want to seem… desperate. I just wanted you to see how cool I am on set.” Tom paused, “A-And Colt! Yeah! Don’t you want to see him do his stunts? I’m sure he’s already texted you about it. This scene we’re shooting for is–”
Ryland ate the last of his breakfast and went to wash the dishes.
Talk about freezing cold.
But the Great Thomas Joseph Ryder isn’t one to back down from a challenge!
He followed Ryland to the sink, “So are you coming?” He tried for his usual star smile, but Ryland took one slight glance at Tom and looked back down to the dishes as he scrubbed them down. Tom’s smile fell.
Ryland is in a bad mood today, isn’t he?
“Colt has texted me.” Ryland spoke. Tom brightened up a little.
“However,” Ryland washed the dishes with the water from the tap one more time and put them to dry on the rack. Tom wilted a little.
“The kids’ exam week is coming up soon. I need to prepare the papers. It’s the busiest school season out of the whole academic year.” He turned to look Tom directly in the face, “And even after that, I need to grade a whole lot of papers.” Ryland sighed and walked back to the table, leaning on one of the chairs. “I don’t know where or how I’ll get the time to see you do your shoot.”
Before Tom could rebut, Ryland put his hand up, “I’m not done yet. I have my hand up. Come sit.”
Tom obediently sat down on one of the chairs near Ryland and looked up at him. Ryland sat next to Tom and clasped his hands together, gesturing it at Tom.
“Alright. Convince me.”
“...” Tom paused. Wait, this was a good chance. He just has to think of good reasons that will convince Ryland to come watch.
Let’s see what he has as options. Ryland seems to be incapable of taking bullshit as of now, he has to think of a really good response.
- No Colt (He tested that, that shit did not work this time for some reason)
- No guilt-tripping (Tom didn’t even know why he did that. Guilt-tripping isn’t ‘Tom Ryder’ at all!)
- Gaslighting? (No. The Ryland Grace he knows absolutely hates being gaslighted. He doesn’t want to do something Ryland doesn’t like. Plus he’s probably too smart to get gaslighted.)
- Autograph for Ryland’s students?
Ding! Ding ding ding!
Wow, the Thomas Joseph Ryder is one heck of a genius!
“I’ll sign your students some of my autographs that you can give away if they do well with their exams.” Tom grins like he’s already won. “On the condition that you come watch me do my shoot, of course.” he crosses his arms. Ryland loves his students to death; there's no way he’ll refuse!
“Ah. Bribing.” Ryland chuckled quietly, “Though my students are a big fan of yours. I’ll think about it.”
Ryland is definitely a land-siren. No way a chuckle could worm its way into the crevices of Tom’s heart this easily. You know, despite having somewhat the same face as Colt, Ryland is just so much better. Like worlds-apart kind of thing. Ryland must have taken all the brain cells from Colt at birth. How could one identical twin be so vastly different and perfect from the other annoying little shit?
“Of course they’re my fans. I’m the Tom Ryder.” Tom smugly smiles, “Free autographs if they do well on their exams. That’s basically saying ‘study hard and I’ll give you 500 bucks’.” Tom knew if he was one of Ryland’s students and Ryland offered to get a movie star’s autograph if they did well on their exams, Tom would do his fucking best to get more than 90% on those papers.
Ryland raises his eyebrow, “Other than bribing, was convincing me with cold, hard facts even a choice inside your head?”
Tom spluttered, not this again!
“I already laid down my pride and ego and told you I wanted you to come see me be very intellectual. Was that not enough? Do I have to kneel and beg?” Do I have to cradle your glorious lean legs and kiss those magnificent pecs?
Oh he was so glad he didn’t say that out loud. He knew he could stop himself from, well, embarrassing himself! Not very good to come off as desperate when you’re being friendzoned (he cries himself to sleep every night on this fact) and that you have a reputation to the public (and to Ryland) to uphold and be truthful to!
Plus he kinda has… a situationship going on that’s not with his beautiful Ryland. Which sucks. But he knows Ryland wouldn’t want to be in a scandal or in the spotlight.
He would never do what Ryland doesn’t want to do. Ryland deserves better than that. He deserves so much more.
Ah, shit. He’s smitten isn’t he. Well this just sucks ass.
–
Tom has been quiet for a while, Ryland thought. He has blanked out for quite the long moment. Ryland also feels it’s primarily because Ryland hadn’t responded to Tom’s statement yet. Thoughts run wild when left alone.
Well, he mostly hasn’t replied to Tom’s (rhetorical) question because he doesn’t know how to respond. To that. At all.
Well, he doesn’t want Tom to grovel. Unnecessary attention and all that. Plus he’ll feel guilt.
To be honest, he’s already feeling guilty for being friends with someone his twin brother absolutely hates. Colt goes all ‘Yucky you’ at Tom for everything he does, which is concerning. To be fair, even before he met Tom, Colt always had something to complain about ‘the d-head’
It reminds Ryland of the very first time he met Tom face to face.
He remembered finally relenting and going to the shoot that Colt wanted him to go watch him do his reckless stunts. He cannot fathom why Colt would ever want to throw himself off a cliff, or crash cars, while being in the said car. Ryland knows his brother’s pain tolerance is high and that he’s practically an adrenaline junkie, but Colt’s actions to Ryland always seemed so irrational. Colt’s job is dangerous, and it’s not Ryland’s fault he worries for his brother’s safety.
When Ryland arrived on the set, Colt introduced him to Jody. Jody was an enthusiastic person who was extremely passionate about her work; because of this he could freely chat to her about her work experiences and his own teacher stuff while Colt was called away to practice some stunts under the hot, boiling sun while he and Jody stayed in the shade.
Ryland remembered Colt whining about having to do his stunts under the raging ball of fire, also called the sun, and he would try to cling to Jody to complain. Jody would push Colt’s face away because he was absolutely smothered in sweat.
Sooner or later, Ryland would be left alone in the shade as Jody and Colt went to do their respective works.
That was when it happened. Honestly he didn’t even notice Tom Ryder coming from behind him.
All he knew was that one moment, he was scrolling through his phone, checking the numerous things on his to-do list that he had to do after he finished watching the shoot. And the other? Some dude he didn’t recognise punched his shoulder.
So he turned to face the stranger that punched his shoulder, and the guy looked strangely familiar to the person on many movie posters. He looked really smug, wearing sunglasses and this really flamboyant jacket.
“Seavers! Colt Seavers! Man of the hour! Aren’t you supposed to be, I don’t know, jumping off a bridge and breaking your neck or something?” The guy chuckled to himself, as if he said a really funny joke. He then paused, and leaned closer to Ryland with a raised eyebrow, “Why are you wearing glasses? That’s not your thing. Intellect is not a good look on you!” and he went back to grinning like a maniac.
“I’m not Colt,” he heard himself saying calmly. This was fine. People mistake him for his brother all the time. This wasn’t anything new.
The guy paused, “Oh! You’re the uh– twin brother! Wow,” he whistled, “Wow. I didn’t know you were that identical. Holy shit. This is like a case of copy and paste!” He grabbed Ryland’s shoulders firmly, “So, remind me what your name is again, Colt Vers 2.0?”
Ryland forced a smile on his face, “Ryland Grace. You?”
“...”
“...”
“You’re kidding. You don’t recognise this face?” The guy slid his sunglasses down and quirked his eyebrow.
“Am I supposed to?” Ryland tilted his head.
The guy balked, “Do you even watch movies?? Do you know who Tom Ryder is?”
“Tom Ryder? I mean, the action movies guy? I actually don't watch a lot of action movies.” Ryland scratched the back of his head. “Usually I watch documentaries and stuff. Oh, Sci-Fi is good too! I’m not that picky. Action isn’t my top genre though.”
The guy took off his sunglasses and stared at Ryland, “You don’t recognise this face?”
Okay, this was really getting weird, Ryland thought. “No, I don’t.” He squinted, “Oh, you looked like that guy on the action movie posters though.” Suddenly, Ryland had an epiphany.
“Oh! You’re Tom Ryder!”
“I can’t believe you had to piece that together like a puzzle,” Tom wore this expression of utter disbelief on his face, he rubbed his chin and just blinked awkwardly and looked to the floor while he was doing so. “I should be recognisable immediately. This is a disaster. I need to go tell Gail about this.”
And so, Ryland watched him hurry away from sight.
Huh, Ryland thought, that was weird. But it probably wouldn’t happen again.
But it friggin’ did.
The second time it happened, Tom didn’t mistake Ryland for Colt. He went straight for Ryland. No mistakes were made.
The moment Jody and Colt left him, Tom ceased the opportunity like how the cat got the cream. He came from in front this time, with that sleazy grin of his.
Ryland thought he looked like the Cheshire Cat. Definitely smugger, though.
“So, Ryland,” Tom leaned against the pole of the large umbrella providing shade.
“We are not on a first name basis yet.” Ryland stared at Tom, he could already feel a headache coming. He left his favourite cardigan at home because it was hot. Hot, not in a burning way, but in a ‘boiling alive in sauna’ way. And oh was he regretting that.
Even though he was standing under the shade, he was in a foul mood. He forgot to bring in his favourite mini spinning fan that also improved his grip because he has to manually propel it with his hand.
One of his students gave the fan to him as a gift. It had personal fox stickers his kid customised for him and everything.
God, he missed that fan so badly. He wished it could manifest right in front of him.
“You won’t even give me a pass?” Tom chuckled, “Stubborn.” Tom moved to be right in Grace’s face, his hands on his hips. “Alright, Grace, give me your phone number.”
Ryland went silent for quite a bit, just staring at Tom, “Am I required to?”
“No,” Tom started, “Are you not honoured that I am asking for your phone number?” He had the audacity to tilt his head like he was actually genuinely curious.
Well, if you’re famous enough you lose all your humility, he supposes.
Ryland pockets his phone and takes off his glasses to clean it. He was about to say ‘thank you, but no thank you’, however. Colt spotted them first and immediately ran to yank Ryland away from Tom.
Ryland thought Colt resembled a mother hen.
“Colt,” Tom beamed, “You didn’t tell me you had such a wonderful twin!”
“Back the fuck off, Tom. My brother is off-limits.” Colt frowned, shielding Ryland from Tom’s view.
Colt steered Ryland away from Tom after that, and made sure Tom wouldn’t find Ryland during the sets.
That didn’t work out so well, since, you know, they became friends anyway.
–
His thoughts were interrupted by the door handle to the apartment opening. Both Tom and Ryland turned their heads to the direction of the door.
Ryland heard heavy footsteps as the person came into view.
“Ry! Your brother is here for a surprise visit– what the fuck?” Colt froze, his keys clattering to the floor because his hands were full of filled plastic bags. Colt dropped his numerous groceries onto the floor and pointed at Tom. “Why is that fuckwad here?”
Tom stood up from his chair, “Now now, you shouldn’t swear at your employer like that–”
“Get the fuck away from my brother.” Colt walked to Tom and shoved him away from Ryland. “What ulterior motive do you have this time? Are you getting close to him just to piss me off? Because it’s fucking working, I’m telling you that.”
Ryland grabbed Colt’s shoulder and shook his head. Colt relaxed a little, but that didn’t stop him from trying to stare daggers into Tom’s head. “Alright you two. Calm down.”
“Calm down? Ry, I told you to not–” Colt frowned. “Yes. I know.” Ryland replied, his eyebrow raised, “Can you trust my judgement here?”
Colt quieted and settled down. Irritated, but calm nonetheless.
Ryland sighed, “I’ll be guessing you both are here for the same reason.”
The both of them perked up. Ryland continued, “You two want me to go see the shoot.” he crossed his arms.
Reluctant nodding from the two. And an additional glare from his brother to Tom.
“And my answer of ‘I’ll think about it’ is not enough for you two? I absolutely have to come?”
Colt cleared his throat, “Not exactly. It’s up to you. However, I’d really appreciate it if you came.” He gave Ryland a small smile, “Jody misses you too. Surprisingly.”
Ryland raised his eyebrow. Surprisingly?
Tom snapped his fingers, “What that guy said.”
Ryland massaged his temples, “Fine,” he sighed for the nth time today, “I’ll go.”
He regrets it all.
He regrets saying– agreeing.
He shouldn’t have gone.
Colt’s spine wouldn’t have shattered.
His brother’s spine wouldn’t have shattered.
The sound of the ambulance wouldn’t have rung against his head so violently. He wouldn’t have been so helpless as he watched his brother get wheeled away.
The world wouldn’t have spun so dizzily. The world wouldn’t have gone blurry.
He wouldn’t have… he wouldn’t have…
Colt wouldn’t have suffered.
–
Holy fuck.
He messed with the wires, sure. But he only did so to make it like, fall a small distance before catching Colt again. Just to give Colt a small panic attack, you know. Schenanigans.
He didn’t expect to see Colt’s back get crushed and splintered to bits today.
He turned to Ryland, and saw him hyperventilating.
Oh no, fuck. He messed up, didn’t he?
What was he thinking?
One moment Colt’s face was just pissing him off. Oh, he’s such a fucking idiot. He ruined everything.
Now he felt like he threw himself off a cliff.
–
And then Ryland Grace disappeared off the face of planet Earth.