we/they

Ian Somerhalder was holding center court around the food table, telling a story about himself and Tom from their modeling days in Spain. Mike’s approach was slowed as everyone laughed. He thought about skipping lunch altogether, until he heard the distinct chuckle of Tom coming from the group.

Mike pursed his lips and weaved his way through the crowd. He grabbed a sandwich and a bag of chips from the table and turned to leave, his eyes searching for and finding Tom, leaning against the wall near Ian. Tom nodded in Mike’s direction, and then Ian jumped in front of him, continuing his story.

Mike started walking away. He was really getting tired of all of Ian’s tales of the old days. The guy hadn’t been there a week yet, and Mike was already hoping Clark would kick Adam out of town very quickly.

Tom spotted Mike leaving and hurried after him.

“Hey, wait up,” he said.

“Tom,” Mike said.

“Are you heading to your trailer?”

“Yeah. I’ve got some calls to make.”

“Oh.”

Tom stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “How are you holding up? You look tired.”

Mike shrugged. “These intense scenes are kind of draining. But hey, we’ll be back to running away from meteor freaks anytime now.”

Tom smiled, his brilliant mega-kilowatt smile that never failed to make Mike’s heart beat a bit faster.

“Well, I’ll see you after lunch then,” Tom said.

Mike watched him go, mentally kicking himself in the ass. He practically ran to his trailer, where he tossed his food down on the table and groaned. He’d grabbed a tuna sandwich instead of ham. Dammit, he hated tuna. But no way was he going back for another, not with the new guy there.

Mike would admit that he was jealous of Ian. He was jealous because Ian had known Tom long before any of this. And also because of the way he kept looking at Tom, like he was a prize or something. And he hated the way Tom instantly welcomed him. He was only there for six episodes, but damn. It felt like a lifetime to Mike.

Mike found himself once again wishing Eric was still around. Eric listened to Mike’s confessions of feelings for Tom and offered guidance. After Eric had left, his character ruthlessly killed off in a lame attempt to allow Clark and Lana to be together, Michael had no one to confide in on the set. It got very tiring, holding it all in.

A light knock on his trailer door brought Mike back from his thoughts. He was surprised to find Tom standing outside, two sandwiches in one hand, two bottles of water in the other.

“Sorry to bother you,” Tom said, “but I noticed you grabbed a tuna from the table. Thought you might want to exchange.”

Mike smiled and moved aside to let him in.

“Very observant of you. Thanks.”

Tom placed the sandwiches and water on the table. “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem kind of down.”

Mike dropped into a chair and reached for a sandwich. “I’m okay, really.”

Tom sat on the couch and pushed his bangs from his eyes. “Sometimes I really hate Clark Kent’s hair,” he muttered.

“Hey, it’s better than Lex’s.”

Tom laughed. “Wouldn’t it freak everyone out if I came back from the next break with a shaved head?”

“They’d kill you. And then all the women in the world would kill you.”

“Sad, but true.” Tom peered out through the blinds of the trailer, his eyes darting left and right, then left again.

Mike swallowed a bite and said, “Not that I don’t enjoy your company, but I get the feeling you’re hiding out.”

Tom looked down guiltily at his hands. “I am. Sort of.”

“Are there reporters around today?”

“No. Just Ian.”

Mike coughed. “Huh?”

“I’m kind of tired of all the stories he’s been telling everyone. All that stuff happened years ago, and we weren’t that close of friends.”

Something inside of Mike let out a small cheer.

“Oh, um,” was all he said.

“And I wish he’d stop thinking we look like brothers.” Tom turned and focused on Michael. “Do you think we look alike?”

“No,” Mike answered. “You’re much cuter.”

Tom laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Maybe he thinks if he sucks up to the star, they’ll beef up his role,” Mike suggested. “I hope you’re going to eat those other sandwiches.”

Tom took one. “Whatever he’s doing, it’s annoying as hell. My dislike of him will definitely come across onscreen.”

Mike hid a smile as he continued to eat.

“The fans are liking him,” Tom said.

“Well, he is cute.”

“But you think I’m cuter.”

“Of course.”

They shared a smile.

“Do you know why people really like him though?” Tom asked.

Mike shook his head.

“Because he keeps Lana away from Clark, so Clark and Lex can be together.”

Mike choked on a large chunk of his sandwich. He smacked himself in the chest, hard, and took a swig of water.

“Does that surprise you?” Tom asked.

“Honestly, no. But hearing it from you caught me off guard.”

“It’s no wonder people think Clark and Lex are doing it,” Tom said, leaning back against the couch. “Look at all the camera shots, and the lines. I’d think we were gay, too.”

Mike blinked. “You mean ‘they.’”

“What?”

“You said ‘we.’ Didn’t you mean ‘they’?”

Tom’s eyebrows knitted together in thought, then he shrugged. “Oh. Hm.” He finished the last of his food. “Guess I better get back. I have a scene coming up.”

He brushed crumbs from his fingers and stood up. “See you later.”

Mike frowned after Tom left. Then his frown turned upward.

Had Tom been trying to tell him something?

Forgetting about his lunch, Mike pulled out his cell phone and dialed Eric.

~end