"Who is Alex Hakim?"
That was the headline for most of the articles going around right then, delving into who famed actor Trevor Lars (Gay Icon) was dating. Trevor had already rolled his eyes at the fact that the press had latched onto Alex's Gay Icon bit, though it delighted Alex. What didn't delight either of them was how far some reporters would go to dig up information, including contacting Alex's family.
So far, no one in Alex's family had chosen to comment to the press, but that didn't stop them from continuously blowing up his phone with complaints that he was ruining their lives and "sullying the family name" with his "immoral behaviour." The only reason Trevor didn't rip them a new one over that was because Alex asked him not to, but he was furious with both the press and Alex's family.
While they were gearing up for filming for Extracurricular, which would wrap up a few months before filming on the next movie began, Trevor had asked Hop for some help on writing a book about his life. His agent had been all over the idea, telling him that getting a book out there that speaks to everything the press wanted to know would get him a ton of great publicity, and it would keep the power in Trevor's hands.
Hop may have been in IT now, but his degree originally had been journalism. All Trevor really needed help on was getting it all down on paper and edited. He, of course, would be paying Hop for his help, which Hop had said wasn't necessary but he would never ask anyone to work this much without proper compensation for it.
Trevor asked Alex for permission to talk about their romance in the book, particularly when they were teens and then reconnecting later. Alex told him that it would cost him dearly to sell his secrets but acquiesced after only a little pouting when it became clear that Trevor would not be lured into innuendo and remained serious, though he did take him up on that innuendo once he got a serious answer. Hop gave Trevor a microrecorder that was set up to email him the audio files periodically and sent him on his way.
Their schedules were busy but it was a good busy; a busy that came with meaningful work and paychecks, as well as time spent together. The set for Extracurricular felt like an entirely new set now that Paul was gone. Everyone could breathe easily and the crew and cast were socializing more in the down times while makeup was done and sets were being reset.
They had hired a new actor that would be the new romantic interest for Trevor's character, and they got along well and had chemistry on film, though Trevor's eyes always searched for Alex whenever the director called cut.
Rodney had just called for a brief break while the set got reset and some makeup was fixed, giving direction for some fixes to a few of the dance steps before they got started again. Rodney's phone buzzed and he pulled it from his pocket, giving a scowl and looking like he wasn't going to answer it before he gave in and put the phone up to his ear.
"What?" he barked into it.
Trevor looked up at Keri who was eyeing Rodney curiously while they stretched out again to be ready to go. When she saw Trevor looking she gave a shrug, as if to say she had no idea but had some guesses as to who could make Rodney scowl like that.
"Oh, hi. Yes," Rodney said into the phone, and then he shot his eyes over at where Keri and Trevor were, listening intently. "Are you sure? Holy shit. Yeah, alright, thanks."
"What, are we getting canceled?" Keri asked, nervous about why Rodney looked so serious.
"That was Paul Grayson's agent," Rodney told them. Trevor immediately looked like he was ready for some sort of bad news, and even the crew around them looked tense at the mention of his name. "It seems they can't keep the press from running this, and his agent wanted the cast to know before the press, because he's considerate. Paul was just rushed to the hospital. Apparently he was shot by his lover."
Trevor heard a snort from behind one of the sets and heard muffled laughter retreating away toward the storeroom in the back of the warehouse. Keri was completely silent, as were most of the other actors, but Trevor couldn't stop the nervous laughter from bubbling up out of his own mouth. In all the times he had imagined a scenario like this, he had never imagined Paul would be the one being hurt.
Trevor clamped his hand down over his mouth and mumbled an apology, but Rodney shook his head. "Don't apologize for natural reactions. There's a ton of mixed emotions with Paul, I'm sure."
Rodney decided to break for the night. They would lose about five hours of filming but they could shoot some b-roll stuff while he let the actors process. They could also make up for it in the next few days by having the actors on set earlier. Trevor walked back to his trailer almost in a daze. He didn't really remember the walk to it; he'd been on autopilot while his mind whirled with thoughts.
He washed off his makeup and hair products still on autopilot, and then sat there for a little bit in black joggers without a shirt while his mind went a million thoughts a minute. Alex made his way out to Trevor's trailer after shooting was over for the day and he had stowed away all of the sets they wouldn't need for the next day. He knocked gently on Trevor's door, waiting for a response before going in.
Trevor looked over at Alex as he came into the trailer and shut the door. "What a fucking day, huh?"
"Are you going to be okay?" Alex asked carefully, leaning up against the counter and giving Trevor his space.
Trevor made some room on the couch for Alex if he wanted to take it, though he was anxious about the space Alex was giving him right then. "I don't know. Eventually, yeah. To be honest, I'm not...I mean, I'm surprised Paul was the victim here and not the one holding the gun. I met his boyfriend though at one of the talk shows, and he was aggressive. I'm honestly a little afraid if they haven't taken him in that he might go insane and come to our house. That's my biggest fear right now. I don't want to put you at risk."
"So let's sleep in the van tonight! I've had my eye on this camping spot for a while..." Alex suggested.
