Heartache on the Big Screen

Written by: SadieAnnabethMellark ( porkcutletbowltrash)

Summary: Both Otabek and Yuri are cast in an upcoming gay romantic drama as love interests when their mutual friends ask them to play the roles. They have chemistry. They have the look. One problem though; they don't necessarily get along. What happens over the year and a half of filming? Will they become a Hollywood power couple or are they going to just be another heartache on the big screen?

o.O.o

Chapter One: OTABEK

"Aren't you even a little bit nervous about this?"

"Why would I be? I've been on camera before…" Otabek Altin looked up from where he was looking over the script that he had been reading through for the past week at the woman in front of him.

"This will be your first time acting as half of a gay couple…" Natasha was looking down at him as she paused her pacing in front of him to look at him with a mix of concern and disbelief. She had highly discouraged him from taking the role in Of Ice and Ashes; a romantic drama that one of his good, Yuuri Katsuki, had written and produced. He'd gotten the call from Yuuri one night, begging him to write some of the music for the movie and somewhere in the conversation that had dragged into the early hours of the morning, Otabek had agreed to star in the film as well. At first, he'd figure he'd star as a minor or secondary character at the most, but then Yuuri had told him that he'd be playing one of the two main characters, which he'd taken in stride.

"And…?"

"And you aren't even sure what you are-"

Otabek's jaw tightened and he looked up at Natasha with cold eyes, "So what? First of all, you can't tell me what I am and what I'm not in my personal life. You may be my manager-"

"And your real life girlfriend!"

"Just because we've hooked up before doesn't mean we're a thing, sweetheart." He told her in a whispered anger, "And second of all, unlike you, I don't need to be physically intimate or to experiment to decide what my sexual orientation is and you know that. And lastly, that's incredibly rude to say, you know."

"This could be bad for your career…" Natasha was equally as quiet now, looking at him with cold eyes.

"Who cares? I'm surprised I've last this long in LA for this long; fourteen years in the industry is longer than I expected to be here."

"You're at the top of your game right now. You're releasing a new album in four months, you're now writing songs for a movie where you'll be most of the soundtrack, your relationship with Kayla-"

"You mean my contract with Kayla? We're due to break up in a few months. I'll say though that out of all the girls you've partnered me with for work, she's been the most entertaining of them all."

"I'm serious Altin. This may be your downfall."

"Or it may be my saving grace. The band isn't doing well. We're all going to be going our separate ways by the end of the year and then I'll be launching my own solo career in the music industry. With the soundtrack, I'll be doing myself and my friend a favor."

"He's also an ex-lover…"

"What went on between Yuuri and I seven years ago, is none of your business. This could be a boost for me. Think of it all as a business deal if that'll help you sleep at night." Otabek set the script aside and stood from his favorite reading chair and gave her a sarcastic smile, "It was nice having you over."

She gave him a murderous look and stomped over to the kitchen counter where her purse and her heels from last night had sat, picking them up and then swishing her hips back and forth as she made her way angrily out of the door. Otabek was no fool, he knew she was trying to bait him into apologizing and inviting her over again for another night. Not that that'll happen.

He couldn't help but smile softly as the front door to his apartment slammed shut with vigor. Natasha was a pain in the ass, sure, but he couldn't deny that she was incredibly beautiful when she was angry. He loved to piss her off, but he also had a line of where he wouldn't return the fighting with passionate flirting and possibly a night of angry sex. Natasha had definitely crossed it when she brought up Yuuri. Sure, he and Yuuri hadn't worked out way back when he was 17 and Yuuri was 19. Sure, they hadn't been good for each other romantically in the long run. However, they had been a beautiful burning flame together and Otabek would never forget how amazing Yuuri had been. Even when it ended, they didn't stay estranged for very long and stayed good friends over the years.

Otabek made his way into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee before he headed out to the studio; he was supposed to be meeting his new co-star today along with Yuuri and his husband (who was the director) Viktor, as well as a couple other nameless higher-ups. He wasn't all that worried about the meeting, honestly. Yuuri had said that Viktor had picked the other lead role and that Otabek would like him. At the meeting, they would start going over some of the technical issues of filming (which would be rather boring), but then Yuuri had invited him to join Viktor and himself for coffee afterwards to catch up, so there was a bright side besides being able to meet the actor who his character on screen would be dating.

A soft brush on fur rubbed against and then between his legs and he smiled down at the Ragdoll cat who was sliding between his calves and meowing softly, begging for food. He knelt down and picked up the cat who automatically went limp in his arms, purring as he held her like a baby.

"Good morning, Jaqsı" He crooned as he pressed a soft kiss to her furry head as he walked to the pantry, "Daddy is gonna get you some food before I go, pretty girl."

She purred and snuggled into Otabek's arms in content. It didn't matter how many girls he'd hooked up with or dated over the years, there was only one girl in his life who truly mattered and that was Jaqsı. His precious cat had been there since his first year in the business, keeping him company and giving him love as he was forced between filming shows and attending interviews. His mother had left him under the care of his at the time manager (she couldn't afford to live in Hollywood, even with Otabek's earnings), so Jaqsı had been his only family he saw consistently over the past fourteen years. He'd gotten her as a baby and since the moment he had first held her, they were companions.

"Daddy's got a big day ahead of him," he looked down at his white-furred companion as he dug in the pantry for a can of cat food. He'd tried to give her dry food for breakfast once and she wouldn't stop meowing and almost tripping him until he had opened a can of wet food, "I'm gonna be meeting my new co-star today, Jaqsı. Plus, I'll be seeing Yuuri again. You remember Yuuri, don't you? He was one of the few people that you liked." Jaqsı purred and looked up at Otabek with brilliant blue eyes, "Do you want ocean whitefish & tuna or grain-free duck & potatoes?" Jaqsı just looked up at him lazily and purred, "I guess, I'll decide then."

He set his beloved cat on the kitchen island and cracked open a can of ocean whitefish & tuna cat food, putting it into Jaqsı's metal food bowl as she watched him and cleaned her paws with her tongue. He set the food bowl down in front of her and scratched behind her ears for a moment before returning to his coffee.

o.O.o

After he had finished getting ready and making sure Jaqsı (who had tried to leave with him) was settled in her kitty hammock he had gotten her a few years ago, he had managed to get into his car to get to the meeting. As usual, the typical California traffic was insane, but he had managed to make the 6-mile drive in under thirty minutes, which was rather amazing. Everything seemed to be getting better as the day went on. Even though he had dealt with an angry and rather rude Natasha this morning, he had managed to spend some quality time with his cat and had been able to make it to the studio offices a little before he was supposed to be there. His favorite song was playing on his phone – "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers – and he couldn't help but sing along to the lyrics. He pulled his Subaru BRZ into the studio parking lot, the windows rolled down as "Mr. Brightside" came to an end and the beginning of Good Charlotte's "I Don't Wanna Be In Love" started coming through the speakers. He sat in the car for a moment, looking through social media briefly before turning the car off and pulling himself from the car. He knew Yuuri and Viktor would already be here and he was hoping they could catch up for a bit before the meeting started.

It was a nice day out today, warm and sunny but not overly hot like it normally was as it was coming out of the summer and into the fall and more than ever he had wished that meetings like this could be held outside in the beautiful California breeze when it was actually nice outside. Obviously, though, that was not possible to do, especially when it came to films and shows. The music industry had been a little laxer on that unspoken rule, but Hollywood in all its shitty glamourous glory was rigid when it came to the secrecy of filming until the movie was already in process. Maybe he could convince Yuuri and Viktor to enjoy their coffee together at an outside table.

As he walked into the office, the receptionist gave him a flirtatious smile and he waved at her before heading up the long glass staircase to the offices up above. He had been here many years before when he had been a child star on Teen Screen Network; he could navigate this office building with his eyes closed. With his hands in his pockets, he ambled down the hallway, looking for any sign of Yuuri or Viktor. When Yuuri had introduced Otabek to his husband, Viktor, Otabek had taken a liking to him rather quickly. Like Yuuri, he was very kind and a very happy go lucky person, but he was definitely more outgoing and forward than the shy Japanese man. They balanced each other out and, Otabek couldn't deny it, they were rather adorable together. Yuuri had been so worried to introduce the two after all that he and Yuuri had gone through in the past, but Otabek had been very happy to meet Yuuri's lover and had been very happy that Yuuri had found someone who looked at him the same way that Otabek had looked at him seven years ago before shit hit the fan.

Turns out, Otabek didn't have to look far. A few doors down, he heard a very thick Russian accented voice speaking in a pacifying tone to an even thicker Russian accented voice that seemed to defiantly be louder. He couldn't make out the words exactly from where he was, but as he got closer he could definitely hear more of what was being said.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" This came from the thicker accented voice, "I have to—"

"You can step away if you want to, Yura. It's not like I'm holding you at gunpoint…"

"Why?! Why does it have to be him?! Out of all the 7 billion people in the world, it had to be him?!"

"I really don't see what you're so upset about…" This came from a soft voice that Otabek immediately knew was Yuuri's.

"I can't believe you two did this to me!"

Someone let out a hard sigh before asking, "My love, would you mind getting us some coffee? Please?" This must've been Viktor's voice then.

True to Otabek's prediction the door next to the office he was currently passing opened and a beautiful man came shuffling out of the room, before shutting it softly behind him. His dark unruly hair was longer than the last time he had seen it, brushing into his eyes and curling around his ears. His dress shirt hugged his chest and figure rather nicely; he looked like a real professional while still being comfortable. Warm brown eyes had gone from uncertainty to relieve excitement in a matter of seconds as their eyes met.

"Otabek! You're here!" Yuuri Katsuki pulled him into a brief hug and smiled up at him as he pulled away, "It's been a long time."

"It sure has. Your hair is longer…" Yuuri gave a soft chuckle at that and nodded.

"I've grown to like it this length and so does Viktor, but don't tell him I told you that." He smiled up at Otabek and quirked his head back towards the end of the hall, "I was just about to get some coffee. Do you want anything?"

"I'll come see what else they have if you don't mind me helping."

"Come on then. I could use an extra set of hands," Yuuri said as the two Russian accented voices grew a little louder behind them.

Otabek raised his eyebrows in question, but Yuuri just shrugged, "They get that way sometimes. That's what happens when you practically grow up as brothers, I suppose, not that I can truly relate since it was just me and Mari."

Otabek nodded and hummed, "How is Mari? I haven't seen her since Christmas that one year."

"She's doing fine. She's studying in Japan while helping run an Onsen there. She occasionally comes and visits, but mostly we see each other via Skype calls. I guess she is planning on taking over the onsen once she graduates."

"Sounds like she's having fun."

"As fun as Mari can have, I guess." Yuuri teased as they stopped in front of a counter filled with food and beverages, "You know her. She's always been more of a stick in the mud than me."

"You mean she's the more mature one out of you too."

Yuuri laughed and nudged Otabek's arm gently, "I take offense to that. I'm not the one who is dating Kayla Brooks…"

"We're scheduled to end in a few months."

"Oh?" Yuuri raised his eyebrows as he grabbed the coffee pot, "Mr. Otabek Altin is tired of having to escort Kayla Brooks, two time Emmy nominee, rising star and Mrs. March in this year's Playboy Magazine."

"It's not like we've actually hooked up. We're in a contract. You know how that goes, Mr. I-dated-Jennifer-Tracy-for-six-months. Out of all of them though, I will say, Kayla has been the most entertaining. She keeps the press off of me for sure with how "famous and fabulous" she is. It's a nice change."

Yuuri hummed and poured another cup of coffee, who Otabek assumed was for Viktor, "Same as always then? You've never been in love with the spotlight."

"Never have. Never will. I sing because I love to sing, but other than that, I couldn't give a rats ass about publicity. Touring and interviews are rough, but when I'm actually on that stage, I feel at home."

"Just as poetic as always too…" Yuuri grabbed the two steaming cups of coffee in his hands as Otabek reached for a bottle of water, "We should get back to the room so you and Yuri can meet before Christine gets here. She wants to see an impromptu scene between you two to make sure the chemistry is there."

"And if it's not…?"

"Don't worry. It will be." Yuuri gave him a soft nudge with his elbow in reassurance before leading Otabek into the now eerily silent room.

Otabek wasn't sure what he was expecting to see when he went into the room, but he certainly did not picture this. By the way, Yuuri had made it sound, his co-star, Yuri, would be very energetic and a happy go lucky person like he and Viktor. Yuri would be a seductive hipster like Viktor or an unintentional beauty like Yuuri. What Otabek saw had been way out of left field from what he had imagined. Sitting around the big boardroom table sat Viktor, his silver hair looking as shiny and perfect as ever, cerulean blue eyes shining when they landed on Yuuri and his soft form-fitting dress shirt that had been perfectly pressed (no doubt by Yuuri; Otabek was still missing his amazing ironing skills to this day) looking very flattering on him.

That wasn't the shocking part though. The shock factor had come in when he spotted the man sitting next to Viktor.

The first thing he saw as the flash of platinum blonde hair falling around the man's shoulders in soft waves, blonde strands making his oceanic eyes pop even more against his pale skin. He was dressed completely in black, from his t-shirt to his leggings that hugged his legs perfectly to the worn hoodie tied around his waist. His feet were folded under him comfortably and his hands were fiddling with a ring on his finger.

He would've been astonishingly beautiful, even more, beautiful than Yuuri and Viktor, if it weren't for the look he sent Otabek's way. Green oceanic eyes looked at him with the ferocity of a tropical storm; Hard, cold, filled with hatred and desperate to drown him in the throes of his rapid waves of fury.

"Otabek! Long time no see!" Viktor stood and smiled at him happily as he came to give Otabek a quick hug, which he returned his eyes not looking away from the hard ones watching him, "How have you been?"

"I've been doing well. Finishing up the album and all that." He pulled away from Viktor, who squeezed his shoulders in happiness, "Plus, I've been fine-tuning a few songs for the film and for another studio album."

"Ah! Yuuri said that you were going to be writing almost the entire soundtrack for this project. I can't wait to see what you've come up with."

"A new album already? I thought you just finishing up the one that's going to be released in a few months…"

Otabek blushed ever so softly, "I like to be proactive, I guess you could say."

"Any ideas for the theme of this one then?" Yuuri asked curiously.

Otabek shook his head, "Not yet. I'm just messing around with chords and riffs at the moment."

"Hey, Old man! Are you planning on introducing us or what?" This came from the blonde Yuri sitting at the table who was still glaring at Otabek. Viktor turned to him momentarily before turning back to Otabek.

"Pardon him, Otabek. He ran out of his chill pills about an hour ago. This is Yuri Plisetsky and he will be playing your love interest."

Otabek nodded and tried to give Yuri his best most friendly smile (that was incredibly small; he had never been great at smiling when out of a scene), "Hi. It's nice to meet you."

Yuri sighed and rolled his eyes, "Ditto, asshole."

Otabek shrunk back slightly, but Viktor gave him a reassuring pat on the back, "Don't take it personally. He greets everyone inappropriately. He's still learning to use his manners at twenty-one. His Mama didn't teach him right."

"My Mama was your Mama, Vitya, remember? Remember when I was living with your family so I could have an acting and singing coach here in California? Yeah, I wouldn't be so quick to judge." Yuri spat back.

"Yuri," Yuuri's voice was quiet in volume, but Otabek immediately caught the warning tone in it, "Behave yourself."

Yuri rolled his eyes, but stood and stalked towards Otabek. He stuck out his hand to shake hands, not meeting Otabek's eyes, "It's nice to meet you too, Altin. I can't wait to work with you."

Otabek took his hand softly and felt the stiff handshake between the two, "A pleasure to work with you too, Plisetsky."

o.O.o

As anticipated, the meeting itself was incredibly boring. He was sitting between Yuuri and his new co-star, Yuri, while he listened into Viktor and Yuuri talking with a few people he barely knew. What he was entirely here for was mostly so the higher-ups could see the chemistry between the two main characters and the technical pieces of it all was making him doze off into a daydream, ignoring the stiff blonde next to him. Chemistry. How in the hell did Yuuri and Viktor expect them to have chemistry when Yuri couldn't stop glaring at him? They had to do an impromptu scene together and he wasn't sure if Yuri would actually play along or if he would bite Otabek's head off.

His question, however, was soon answered as Viktor offered the two of them to perform together for the first time. Yuri stood and smiled softly at the other members as Otabek stood as well and they both stood behind their chairs so they had room to move if they desired. As Otabek looked at Yuri, he could see the hostility was gone from Yuri's eyes and a small worried smile was on his lips as he looked at Otabek.

"Are you sure you have to go, Beka?" Yuri's eyes were filled with concern as he took a step closer to Otabek.

He immediately slipped into character, "You know that I have too." He reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind Yuri's ear, so he could see the sharp angularity of Yuri's high cheekbones. Yuri's hair was so soft to the touch and his skin was so smooth.

Yuri leaned into the hand that had unintentionally caressed his cheek, "You'll write to me?"

"Every day." This time it was Otabek who had moved closer. They were now chest to chest, looking at each other in what would be portrayed as utter love.

"Be safe. Come back to me in one piece alright?"

"I will." And that is when Yuri's arms wrapped around Otabek's waist as he pulled him into what would have been a desperate hug filled with emotion and worry if it were real.

"I love you."

Otabek gave a pregnant pause for effect, "I'll come home soon. Once it's all over and done with."

"Promise?"

"Have I ever lied to you?"

Yuri gave a small teasing smile, "Yes."

"Let me rephrase then. Have I ever lied to you about coming back home?" The stayed wrapped in each other's arms, rocking side to side. Yuri's hair was brushing against his nose and tickling his cheek softly. Otabek reached down and brushed his lips over Yuri's temple to mimic comfort.

"Never."

"And cut!" Viktor said as people gave soft claps in praise. Otabek and Yuri sprung apart and gave gentle bows as they took their seats stiffly once more in awkward silence. It made Otabek wonder how they could go from so estranged to so intimate and back to so distant once more. Granted they were acting, but it still was odd. He internally shook his head and sighed. It had been a long time since he had been on screen; not since he had left Teen Screen Network almost eight years prior. He'd been swept up into the music industry after that, performing with the band and recording music since then.

"The chemistry is amazing you two." A woman said as her eyes shifted between Yuuri and Viktor, both of which nodded in agreement, "They could pass for actual lovers."

"We knew they'd click right away. They're perfect for the roles."

Otabek faded back into daydreaming after that, zoning out the boring conversation that no longer involved him. He wasn't sure how long he had been sitting there but felt relieved when Yuuri reached over and patted his shoulder as many people in suits stood and began to shake hands. Out of politeness, Otabek and Yuri stood as well and shook hands with everyone while muttering "thank you's" and "It was a pleasure to meet you's" before people started shuffling out the office, leaving Viktor & Yuuri and Otabek & Yuri.

"You two did wonderfully," Yuuri said as he faced the two actors, a big smile on his face.

"Of course I did. I'm a professional actor." Yuri said at the same time as Otabek said, "Thank you. I tried my best."

"I told you, Yuurtshka, that we knew what we were doing. Can you think of two better people to play Evan and Jasper?"

"Your right, Vitya. I can't." Yuuri chuckled and leaned into his husband's embrace.

They separated only when there was a clearing of a throat at the door and a small thin woman walked in, her heels clacking loudly along the hardwood floor.

"Excuse me, Mr. Nikiforov—"

"It's Katsuki-Nikiforov actually, but what can I help you with my dear?"

The girl blushed softly, "I'm sorry for the mix up of names. But, Mr. Davison would like to speak to you in his office before you leave."

"Ah. Yes. Let him know I'll be up in a few minutes if you will." Viktor smiled at the girl with a charming grin, which made her blush deepen in color before she clacked her way out of the room.

Viktor turned back to face his two leading actors, "Would you like to join us for coffee, Yura? It'd be nice to let you and Otabek get to know each other better before we start filming next week."

Yuri gave a grunt and rolled his eyes, "I have better things to do, old man."

"Alright. Suit yourself, you whippersnapper you." Viktor leaned over and kissed Yuuri's cheek softly before he strutted out of the room.

"I really wish you'd come, Yuri. It's been a long time since we've gotten to see each other. Not since last Thanksgiving."

Otabek was expecting Yuri to snap just as angrily at Yuuri as he had at Viktor, but he was a little surprised and very relieved that Yuri just huffed and didn't meet his eyes, "I have a meeting with my management team at two, so I can't. Maybe next week, Katsudon."

"That'd be wonderful, Yura." Yuuri said as he came forward and hugged the blonde for a brief moment, and then hugged Otabek as well before pulling away and smiling up at him, "You'll join me and Vitya for coffee though?"

Otabek nodded, "I'd like to."

Yuuri smiled wider, "Great. I'll just grab a few things from my office and then we can meet up with Viktor, okay?"

"Sure thing." He called after the man who was shuffling from the room as well, leaving just him and Yuri standing next to each other. The silence was incredibly tense and awkward between the two as they stood there for a moment; neither moving or making a sound.

Yuri finally sighed angrily and began to stomp forward, "I'll see you on set, Altin."

"Okay. Have a nice weekend, Yuri."

Yuri made it to the door and paused for a second before turning back to look at Otabek, "Rockstars don't belong on screen. You should start reconsidering the offer before it's too late." Otabek felt his mouth go dry at the words but before he could reply, Yuri was gone.

To Be Continued…

A/N:( Ahhhh. I am so excited. I've been planning this fic for a while and now I finally get to introduce it this week for the beginning of yoiAUweek. I'm so excited. I had to give Beka a cat; like he'd make the best cat daddy along with Yuri, that I can't not give him a beautiful cat who is the one girl for him. I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter of this! I'm not sure how long it'll be yet, but I'm planning on it being more than ten chapters…so that's a good thing? I think. I hope you all have a good day and I will see you all tomorrow for day two! – Sam)

Notes:

1. Otabek's Car: . /prod/content/dam/CRO%20Images%202017/Magazine-Articles/December/CRM-Cars-inline-Subaru-BRZ-12-17

Beka doesn't like the flashy lifestyle so he prefers something that is more efficient and practical.

2. Jaqsı (Beka's white ragdoll cat): .

Jaqsı is the Kazakh word meaning "pretty".

3. Music mentioned in this chapter:

"Mr. Brightside" by The Killers

"I Don't Wanna Be In Love" by Good Charlotte