Hello beauties! I know this isn't BIAB, but it's been a while since I've posted a Troigan and this one was prompted to me too long ago by TheVelvetDusk! I actually ended up running with the idea and decided to do a two-shot, one for the original 3x16 prompt, and have part II be 3x17 filming. I've been wanting to tackle BOTH scenarios for a while, but 3B is a very painful half season for me to rewatch so I've been procrastinating on it, especially with all of the other writing I've been doing.

Anyways, for those who have been patiently waiting, here it is! I'll have Part II up as soon as I finish tweaking :)

As always, I do not pretend to be portraying Keegan or Troian's true feelings. This is clearly a work of fiction and is not meant to offend anyone involved.

Until It Hurts - Part I

Troian couldn't help but snicker to herself as she watched the style crew rotate around her cast-mate, spritzing him with water from a spray bottle.

Despite the fact that this was long from being his first shirtless scene, Keegan still had his head bowed in bashfulness as they made him presentable for the camera. Today's scene called for Toby-just-out-of-shower-and-only-in-a-towel and it was obvious Keegan was feeling a little exposed.

Keegan caught Troian's badly hidden smirk when he cringed at the coldness of the most recent moisture and sent her a look. She giggled as she understood his expression. Sometimes, with Keegan, they didn't even need words to gather what the other person was saying.

This water is freezing cold. I think the fact that I'm standing in a towel drying my hair with another one is proof enough that I just got out of the shower.

I know. They worry far too much about details. Everyone's just going to be staring at your abs anyways.

Troian raised her eyebrows amusedly, her eyes dropping to his toned abdomen to send her point across.

Even from across the room, she could see his blush at her implication. She always found it funny how embarrassed he got about positive comments about his physique, especially when he had about a million teenage girls screeching about it on all social media twenty-four hours a day.

Before they could continue their telepathic banter, they were told to get into their positions.

Keegan stood in front of Spencer's mirror, his bag piled on the rocking chair Toby had made her the season prior, and wiped at his damp hair with the navy towel. "I promise today is the last time that they'll have to shut off the water in my loft." he promised his girlfriend as he examined himself in the floor length reflective glass.

Troian stood on the other side of the French-style glass closet doors, buttoning up her blouse and smirking despite herself at the image that the audience would no doubt drool over during the airing. Just the thought of her half-naked best friend standing a few feet away with water dripping in the crevices of his muscular torso had her smirk blend into a slyer curve.

"I told you I don't really have a problem with it." she called back.

"Are you sure you can't come over later… and check out the new tub…?" Keegan said in Toby's usual slow manner.

Troian felt his seductive tone working on herself, despite her being invested in her character. She couldn't help her imagination from picturing exactly what that sort of visit would involve.

She closed the closet doors after peeking around one. "I hate that I can't see you tonight. They're honouring my dad at this dinner so of course I have to be there." 'Spencer' complained, walking towards the bed to fold his clothes for him.

"No I understand. We will celebrate tomorrow." 'Toby' promised.

Troian went to pass him his pants and on cue some coins fell onto the set floor, clanking as they went. "Toby." she said, slipping her hands in his pockets until she found the source of the escape.

Her fingers poked through the rip in the corner of the pocket.

He chuckled awkwardly. "Oh."

"You know that I can fix this. Three years ago, I made an exact replica of Mary Queen of Scots execution dress for my Halloween costume. And I didn't have a pattern." she told him boastfully as she folded the pants and passed them over to him.

"Is there anything you can't do?" he teased good-naturedly.

But Troian could spot the honest twinkle in his eyes. He wasn't just asking that question as Toby.

"Yes—get out of this stupid dinner that's keeping me from you on our anniversary." she complained, caressing his face in her hands.

They were much closer now, her palms unconsciously sliding down his neck. His eyes were locked on hers and she found hers gravitating towards his mouth.

Lesley Fera was supposed to interrupt them but no one was coming.

Had time stood still?

His skin was so warm to her touch. Even with the constant spraying, his body heat was inviting. Troian found herself stepping closer without even thinking about it.

Keegan's hands had swooped down to clutch her lower back, tugging her closer to him too.

Troian licked her lips. His mouth was right there. She would barely have to lean forward to catch it with hers.

Keegan's mind was going over a similar dilemma, wondering if he should take the step and just go for it.

His eyes were an ice-blue today, but somehow warmer than a bonfire on a chilly August night. She wasn't oblivious to the way he was drawing her nearer. But there were people around… it wasn't in the script…

Late to cue, or at least it felt like it to Troian and Keegan, Lesley entered the room correcting her throat.

Troian couldn't help but let her hands run down Keegan's torso, trying not to bite her lip over the feel of the defined muscles beneath her fingertips as she pulled her hands away.

"Uh, I was just going to go into the other room and get dressed." 'Toby' said awkwardly.

'Veronica' ignored him. "I thought I would help you pick out an outfit for this dinner that you're obviously so agog about."

Her daughter sighed, leaning into one of her bed poles. "Are you sure that Dad will be upset if I don't go?"

"Well he has to suffer through it so he wants his family to suffer through it too. Misery loves company."

"I'll find my way out." Keegan said, swinging his bag strap over his shoulder.

"Toby. You forgot your shirt." she said pointedly, handing it over.

He smiled sheepishly before exiting the room.

"Bye." Troian called after him, smiling flirtatiously, and Keegan was grateful that they hadn't filmed his facial reaction to that. He couldn't be held responsible for the fact that Troian was gorgeous to anyone with eyes.

The only problem was that they may not have filmed that much, but he forgot which side his mark was on so he went in the wrong direction when he left the room.

And, as luck would have it, it would be Troian that noticed and pointed it out.

"HA, you're going into Melissa's room." she joked, laughing with the others as Keegan came out of his spot from nearly running into a wall, looking embarrassed. One wrong turn and he had derailed the scene. It hadn't been on purpose, but he still felt bad.

Troian was still laughing so he tossed his shirt at her playfully. "Hush up, Bellisario." he told her, trying to stop himself from laughing now as he realized how ridiculous it must have looked.

She scrunched her nose at him, sashaying closer. "And here I thought we had something special." she taunted, her eyes alight with mirth.

Keegan tugged his shirt out of her hands, the swiftness and strength causing her to stumble forward a little, but before he could try to catch her she had straightened herself out.

But her fingers suddenly dipped a little into his towel and gently yanked, causing him to nearly pass out.

"You better watch it, Allen, or I'll pull that thing off when you're least expecting it." she warned, her voice dangerously low, and she headed back to her mark like it was nothing.

It took Keegan a full five minutes before he learned how to breathe again.

Their next scene was much of the same light-heartedness as the bedroom one, and despite the short kiss they were entitled to exchange, Keegan still enjoyed it. It also was a scene that featured a lot of smiles from Troian so he found himself very content to play it out.

But as it wrapped and they moved on, he started to feel the nerves kick in. Their last scene of the day would be much less romantic and heartwarming as it was finally the time in the season to reveal Spencer's realization of Toby's betrayal.

The set was dark, full of shadows and an atmospheric chill which may have been more from worrying about what was coming than the actual temperature in the room. Keegan was dressed in the typical A team black hoodie, sneaking into the Hastings' kitchen to search for the key Spencer had sneakily set him up to seek out.

Because of the nature of the scene, everyone was rather quiet. Even Troian and Keegan, who normally were joking around up until the last few seconds before the camera was on them, weren't speaking at all.

They practiced their positions, Keegan doing his slow saunter over to meet her at her mark in the middle of the kitchen.

"We want to practice the slap a few times before we start filming." Marlene, in her debut directing role, told them.

Keegan felt his usual bout of nerves when it came to trying something new on set. He was definitely the amateur between the pair of them. Troian had been in the acting industry for a lot longer than he had and had done a variety of different roles. He had dodged a few punches in previous plays, one in his first play ever when he was a kid, but it had never had to be as believable as it did now. He knew he and Troian were on the same page of wanting it to look as authentic as possible, so when Marlene pursed her lips at their third attempt of faking it, Keegan decided to take one for the team. Or a few.

"Troian… just hit me for real." he said quietly.

She bit her lip. "I don't want to hurt you."

He laughed. "Trust me. I can take it."

Troian sighed, knowing he was right, and screwed up all the courage she could to take a proper swing at him. It was hard when she felt so reluctant to inflict pain on him specifically, but she tried to channel anger at outside forces from the current situation to help aid her strength and boldness.

The crack that resounded throughout the set when her hand made contact with his face made everyone stop. Her hand retracted immediately on reflex, her insides freezing in anticipation, but Keegan simply smiled at her.

"See. That was a lot better."

Troian smiled in return, finally releasing the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

A delayed stinging sprung into her palm nerve-endings and she clasped her hands together to numb it.

"Damn Keegan, what are you made of, marble?!" she complained, shaking her slapping-hand in hope of it relieving some pain.

He chuckled at her, shrugging.

"How many times can I practice on you?" she asked him, a little timidly, but her practicing motions of slapping air were not looking as realistic as she hoped.

Keegan contemplated it and smirked. "Until it hurts."

She rolled her eyes, knowing that his face was basically stone so her hits weren't doing much damage.

After a moment, Troian sent him a look, questioning his readiness, and he nodded, trying not to recoil the full amount when she hit him even harder the second time.

Her face was filled with apology, but he wasn't upset. There was a small part of him that was having a hard time watching the most important person in the world strike him with such rage, but the majority of him knew it was all acting and that he was doing her a favour by letting her do such a thing. Her needs were more important than any tiny speck of insecurity.

As she hit him again and again, Keegan let his insecurity have a little more voice. After all, he really needed to give in to the idea that he was deserving of such abuse. And if Troian knew the truth about how he really felt about her… they may be in this very predicament.

He couldn't help himself though. He had been falling for her for so long now. He was in too deep. But each time her hand smacked him, he had to swallow back the fear that she'd have this reaction if he ever revealed it to her.

A few more rounds and Marlene cut them off. She didn't want Keegan to have a red mark form BEFORE the slap was filmed. She could've called in the make-up artists to touch him up, but she figured the poor man had suffered enough blows.

Keegan and Troian went silent again and separated. It was just easier. This was one of the most intense scenes they had filmed together and they both knew it really was a pivotal moment in Spoby's relationship. Every single tiny gesture and facial twitch would be overanalyzed and picked apart by viewers for probably years to come. It HAD to be perfect. It had to not only bring the pain and betrayal and agony to life, but also the subtle longing and desperation both would be feeling. Both Spencer and Toby would be in a state of wanting to know more, or share more, but being restricted from laying it all on the table in that moment. They simply had to stand and confront the anguish standing tall. Neither could waver from their act, Spencer's strong vigilance and Toby's loyalty to the A team, but both would want to demand something from the other—Toby, Spencer's forgiveness, and Spencer, Toby's denial of such an insane thing as him betraying her like that.

Keegan glanced over at Troian, but her back was to him. He knew she was getting her focus. He had to look tense, with glimmers of vulnerability, but stay strong. He knew it would be harder once he was face-to-face with her though. Troian's tears had some sort of supernatural effect on him. Sometimes he couldn't even control his actions, so he knew he had to really concentrate in order to deliver the scene right.

"All right. Marks!" Marlene called out and they silently moved to their initial positions.

Keegan followed the script, opening the door with the key, crossing into the dark kitchen in order to shuffle through the drawer for the labelled key.

"Is this what you're looking for?" Troian's voice came from behind him.

He looked up, stopping in dread of being caught before slowly turning around to face her.

Just as expected, her face was full of pain and tears and it caused an instant ache in his chest. He hated seeing her upset. He hated that he had to have her angry, betrayed eyes glaring in his direction. But it fueled his own emotions for the scene, so he was grateful for her acting power. She always had silently inspired him to push further when he had scenes with her.

"Spencer." he said stiffly.

Her hand swung out to crack across his face. He intentionally slowed his dodge so that she'd get him a little. To be fair, seeing her that upset made him really feel like he deserved it. She was too talented.

His eyes narrowed as he stared her down. "How long have you known?"

Her tears were spilling now and she sucked in her lips as she timidly passed over the Radley Sanitarium ID badge with his picture staring back at him.

He let out a little air from his mouth, but Lesley Fera was right on cue this time and called out Spencer's name.

Troian turned in response, surprised by the sudden noise, and 'Toby' took that opportunity to slip out into the night.

From the sidelines, Keegan watched in pain as Troian sobbed into her onscreen mother's arms. It hurt every inch of his heart. He hated seeing her in such a state.

Troian wasn't like some of the other girls, who could do a sobbing scene and come out of it smiling a few minutes later. She had a different past, different experiences, and she really put every tiny bit of herself into her work. She didn't hold back, even if it meant dragging up some very painful or tough memories to fuel the fire. Keegan had to admire her for it, tremendously so, but he also knew how tough that had to be so he worried.

Marlene got them to run it again a few more times. She was satisfied with the state of emotions they were portraying and didn't want to risk it by letting them talk and take a break to pull themselves out of it. It would be what any good director would do, but Keegan longed to hug his best friend. Each time they ran the scene again, he swore he and Troian became more and more numb. The emotions were running high as a kite now, but it was working perfectly for the scene. Even the crew seemed really impressed.

But it didn't stop Keegan from pulling Troian into his arms the second they were told it was a wrap.

Normally she probably would've laughed at his sudden hug, but she simply leaned into his hold, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

He kissed her forehead. "So proud of you."

She coiled her arms tighter around his middle, snuggling her face into his firm chest. With the comfy hoodie on, the hug was that much warmer; although, Keegan was her favourite teddy bear hugger around regardless.

"Troian, next scene please."

Troian sighed and let Keegan go. It was the end of the day for him, and she knew the rest of them were on a time limit. She'd just have to suck it up.

He looked pretty disappointed that they had to separate, but his eyes were more full of concern for her. He knew, especially since she hadn't uttered a word, that she was into whatever zone pretty deep. He hoped she could pull herself out of it, although he knew her strength rivalled anyone else's he had ever known.

She faked a smile like she had so many times in the past, it came off believable to anyone who didn't know her as well as Keegan did, and she ruffled his hair reassuringly before following the team of workers to the next location on set.

Keegan watched her go and turned away finally to head home, oblivious to the way she glanced back at him longingly.

After arriving at his apartment, Keegan felt the hard work of the day beginning to weigh down on him. Even Minin seemed to sense it, not doing his usual overenthusiastic greeting and instead content with just cuddling up to his friend on the couch as the man collapsed and flipped channels.

Keegan hadn't even gotten through a commercial break before his eyes became too heavy to fight and he was asleep.

Unbeknownst to him, the hours passed and there was a knock on his door to pull him out of his slumber.

The show he had been watching had changed to some game show rerun and he shut it off before heading down the hall, Minin scampering off to find a quiet spot of his own to curl up in.

Keegan really wasn't expecting anyone, and it was rather late so he wasn't sure who would be calling on him at this hour. Curious, he wiped the sleepiness from his eyes as he swung the door open.

A tall brunette stood before him, the expression on her face causing him to blanch in surprise.

Troian's appearance was much more disheveled than it had been since he had last seen her. It had been hard to leave for the day after seeing her so upset, but he knew he had no choice. Plus, he fully knew that Troian was well aware what the job entailed and had been excited to dive into this intense storyline.

She loved working on Pretty Little Liars, but she was the kind of person who was always looking for a new challenge. Playing the same character for three years left her ambitious side a little restless and she wanted, now that she had come to understand her on a very deep level, to add more layers to Spencer. Keegan couldn't blame her. After all, that was what had got him excited about diverting Toby into this new villain. Toby had always been the honest, gentle, sweet, misunderstood soul of Rosewood. Playing a dark side to him was oddly exhilarating and definitely a new role for Keegan to try to pull off.

Troian had definitely risen to the challenge tonight for her role, but the state of her had him incredibly concerned. Her cheeks were still stained with tears, although they seemed to be mostly dry now, but her eyes were bloodshot and hollow looking.

Without a second thought, Keegan pulled her close, securing his arms tightly around her.

"Is everything okay?"

She squeezed him back tightly, nuzzling into him, and he knew that she had come for the hug.

"I just needed to see you."

"Come in, please." he instructed, shutting the door behind her and inviting her further inside the apartment.

The pair settled down on his couch and he turned towards her, taking her hands in his.

Troian looked down, feeling shy and embarrassed now. She wasn't embarrassed about being upset in front of him, he had seen her facing every type of emotion, but it was just the fact that she had dragged him into it. She knew how hard it was on him seeing her this upset but she didn't know where else to go. She needed her best friend.

"Did something happen?" Keegan pressed gently, not wanting to pry but also curious what had pushed her to come see him so urgently.

She shrugged, trying to find the words to explain what had shifted. She just felt this pull to see him, be near him, feel that comfort and safety she always felt around him. After earlier, his hug had provided her with a sudden breath of relief. She couldn't seem to achieve that instant of a result any other way and she needed it now more than before.

"I just finished filming that scene outside of Toby's loft…where Spencer just sobs while banging on the door, begging for an explanation of some sort…" Her voice seemed to evaporate, as if something large was blocking her windpipe, but after a moment, she corrected her throat and continued. "I just knew you were the only one I could be around right now. I… didn't want to be alone. I'm sorry for intruding—"

But Keegan leapt in right away. "No, don't be ridiculous. You could never intrude. Come here." he murmured, lassoing his arms around her properly so she was comfortably situated against his side.

Troian leaned into him, exhaling gratefully, her head resting on his chest now. Keegan always had such a calming effect on her system. She never understood exactly what it was about him, but something about him made her feel like she could breathe again. It didn't matter how insane her life got—his presence always made things seem a lot simpler. He always cleared the fog and helped her see the big picture.

Her arms were wound firmly around his middle, fastening him in place, and he draped the blanket that was lying across the back of the couch over their entangled form.

They didn't speak anymore, just held each other. Keegan simply paid attention to the way she felt in his arms; her breath on his neck; the softness of her hair on the open space before his t-shirt began.

Absent-mindedly, Troian teased the hem of his t-shirt sleeve, feeling much more content than when she had arrived. She had some pretty incredible people in her life, all very supportive and lovely people, but she really could not find enough words to explain the magic of her and Keegan's friendship. She felt close to him in a way she had never felt with another person. It wasn't just the way he understood her, whether it be her mood swings or her subtle facial expressions, but it was the way he knew when to push and when to pull back. He knew when she needed a hug and silence and when she needed to talk things out in detail. Tonight was proof enough—she didn't even have to say a word. He just got it without trying.

Keegan, too, knew that they had something special. Troian could certainly make him laugh like no other; her wit, humour and sass amplified by her intelligence made her one of the most entertaining people in his life and cast family to be around. But even in the early days, he and Troian had clicked. They bonded over music to begin with before every other form of art followed. She was so easy to talk to; despite the fact that she had seen more than he had, experienced incredible things, she also was not someone with any kind of ego issue. She was so grounded and modest that it was impossible not to feel comfortable around her. She had her opinions, but she was very open-minded and encouraged the sharing of views even if they disagreed with her own. He loved that about her because during those controversial conversations she would get so passionate about what she was talking about he couldn't help but fall in love with her all over again.

As the clock ticked on from the wall, he felt her body relaxing into his further. Understanding what would no doubt soon be happening, he slipped one arm under her knees gently, lifting her bridal style. He made sure her arms were safely around his neck before he carried her to his room.

After laying her gently on the bed, he crawled across to turn off the lamp before settling next to her and pulling the sheet over them. He swept her up in his arms again, already missing holding her.

She quickly slipped back into unconscious slumber and he watched her chest rise and fall with each steady breath. She looked so peaceful now. He pressed a dainty kiss to her forehead.

It was times like this that it was the hardest for him to deny his feelings. It wouldn't be the first time she had stayed over, or the first time they had fallen asleep wrapped up like this. He knew he really should put a stop to these sorts of things. It wasn't helping him accept the truth—that he and Troian would always just be friends. But there was that part of his heart that couldn't give up these moments if he tried. Even though it hurt more when he had to let her go, those temporary moments of feeling like she was his was worth all of the pain in the world. Nothing meant more to him than the woman asleep on his chest at that very moment.

Although he was enjoying the view, his need for sleep soon overtook his heart's desire and he became dead to the world.

Troian stirred awake moments later. Her body was incredibly tired from the exhausting, busy day, but she still found the energy to smile at the sight of her snoozing best friend. She placed a soft, quick kiss to his unknowing lips before cuddling back into him to return to dreamland.

Funnily enough, their current state resembled said dreamland pretty well.