Imagine: Being in Love with Clay Barber…and Him Feeling the Same
Gender Neutral Reader
Age Gap (You’re 23 years old)
Long one-shot not edited
Being a child actor was hard for you, especially when you wanted to do a hundred different things. Unlike Zack, your fellow childhood friend costar, you threw a tantrum every time your parents wanted you to do a new tv show or movie. Zack, he did everything but he had the luxury of having a clinging mother and being oblivious of the real world.
World of drugs, violence, sex, neglect, and most importantly exploitation.
Yes, you did love being on the show “Step Right Up” but sadly no one could save you from your parents and self. Especially not Clay Barber, who you had started gaining a crush on when you became a preteen before the show ended. Though he was a world class ass with a drinking and drug problem, he was still nicer to you than your whole family and fake friends. Sticking to just being friends with Zack actually made you feel less lonely and you started to become more passionate about other things in life.
Music.
Games.
Horror movies.
Of course, your parents since you were their money source wanted you to pursue these—and you did—but not how they wanted you to.
After “Step Right Up” ended, you rebelled like no other making the media and fans to never forget about you. You didn’t do anything bad per say but your music was incredibly truthful about your life and Hollywood that it helped changed the music industry…which then changed the film business as well.
You were depressed.
Broken.
Abused.
Suicidal.
Making music at the young age of fourteen, your parents started backing off not wanting anymore attention than what was already brought by you.
Skipping over a few years later, you go to a comedic show.
Clay was one of the comedians which was why you decided to go. Teens and adults were excited you were there and wanted your autograph, pictures, a hug but you didn’t really pay them any mind. All you could do in the crowd of the theater was to stare at Clay Barber. And he stares back.
That night you two went to a Mexican restaurant and though you knew he was just being kind, you called him out on it.
“The question is (your name), why are you here with me? Out of everyone from the cast you are the most successful. Even more than the ginger kid and the duchess. You changed the music industry and even slowly changing the modeling and acting field. You’re doing all that while I’m just a fuck up. A young, talented pup like you shouldn’t be with an old dog like me.”
“I like you.”
“Well…maybe you shouldn’t.”
And you agreed, you shouldn’t but not for the reasons he gave you.
What you didn’t know at that time was that Clay was enjoying your company. And that he loves your music and videos, even if the genre isn’t his cup of coffee, loves the different roles you took because you actually wanted to be in the movies, and how resilient you are against your family. To him you are like the lovely painting, Mona Lisa. Remembering how you were as a kid, smiling to everyone even though he knew it was as fake as your parents love. He’d pay to see your parents drown for how much they caused your suffering.
Then, by some fucked up miracle, you get a call from Hulu three years later about them wanting to reboot the old sitcom you grew up doing. At first, you wanted to tell them they can “shove it,” but instead you put on your adult pants and told them you’ll call the extension back with your answer. Hanging up on them, you think about Zack, Reed, Bree, and ultimately Clay.
Dialing Clay, you shook your leg nervously and impatiently. Doing this every time you text or call him, you can’t help but feel shy and anxious.
“Hello,” he answers amusingly.
“Have you heard about Hulu doing a reboot of “Step Right Up”?”
“Wait what? Are you for real?
“Guess you haven’t got the call yet.”
Standing on set, you take it all in.
Childhood memories, mostly unwanted, come swarming in and it’s almost hard to breath but no one know you are having a panic attack. At least that was what you thought. Clay sees you after he greeted Bree with Reed and as those two are having an awkward moment he decided to walk over.
“How long has it been?”
“About a year,” you breath out, beating at yourself about being too busy with movies and record deals to see Clay at least once in awhile.
He smiled and opened his arm for a hug. Gladly accepting it, you bury your face in his shirt, trying to get your bearings back as he rubbed his warm, big hands over your back comfortingly. “Chin up, we’re taking a picture.”
After a long failed picture attempt because of Reed being too much of a theatrical actor, you meet the director and learned almost at the end of the day that the original director came back…and you’ve dealt with men like him. He’s not a bad guy per say, Gordon, but when he said to Reed, “Who the fuck do you think you are,” it racked chills to your core and instinctually sitting next to Clay you grab his arm.
You have never seen Gordon like this.
Yeah, you may have seen him call Reed and Clay a bunch of stupid Jackasses. But for him to blatantly pull out his authority card, you wanted to just go the hell back home.
Away from here.
Realizing that you are a talented and important person, the chills from you vanish. About to take your hand from Clay’s arm, Clay puts his hand over yours and gives it a squeeze but keeps it on him arm. Looking at him, you see that he is scared.
Remembering the only reason you accepted coming back was because of him, you squeeze his arm to your chest and keep him there. He doesn’t react, solely focused on the confrontation happening.
Would it affect you if the reboot never happens? No.
But it sure would affect him.
It became clear when he told Hannah at her door that if he doesn’t do something during the day, bad shit finds him…you are guilty for laughing at that but it was funny when he said it.
From that day little things would happen between you two.
Friendly smiles passing by.
His hand on your back.
Light touches in scenes.
You giving him sips of your soda since he can’t drink alcohol.
Him giving you random snacks before rehearsals.
Little things like that.
After Zack’s mom gave him a blowjob, he felt great at that time but not satisfied. Sure, he has mommy issues but he knows who he wants to give him a blow.
You.
Whether you’ve done it or not, he doesn’t care. He’d first show you pleasure and then teach you after if it’d be your first time. And him thinking this after he left Zack’s mom in the trailer—he felt disgusted from not only thinking about you but not being with you. A double whammy.
And seeing you walk by, giving him a wave, he knew then and there that he was screwed and wanted you.
“(Your name), we need to talk,” he knocked on your trailer’s door. Opening it, there was silence. Wanting to talk but not being able to from the twist of atmosphere and how deeply he was staring into your eyes.
Finally, he steps forward to let himself in and captures your lips.
“We need to talk pup,” he whispers and takes your mouth to his once again.