Authors Note: MUY IMPORTANTE!!! Okay, there is a black line in the middle of the story……..ignore it! It was an accident that I can't fix. And this is my first story so forgive me for any oddities. Also, I have no idea what I should rate it so it's going to be M just to be on the safe side!! Hope you enjoy it!!
Warnings: There will be slash and there will be child abuse, probably some under age drinking, maybe drugs. I haven't decided on many parts of the story so I don't know to what extent all of the previously mentioned will occur, if at all. (but most likely yes).
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There was timidity in the air the day that the auditions were held for Brenda's replacement on The Corny Collin's Show. As the veterans stood in formation behind their drill sergeant, Velma Von Tussle, seeming to move in sync with her commands effortlessly, the hopefuls looked on with nervous and longing glances. When Velma marched up to the poor prey, I mean girls, and started criticizing them, immediately creating bursts of tears and long faces the counsel didn't even flinch and never faltered from their perfect routine.
Brenda was not the first person to be replaced on the beloved show. Others had graduated and moved on and Brenda wasn't the first girl to take a nine month "vacation." So when all of the interested girls were run out of the station Link Larkin didn't bat an eye.
His "girlfriend" Amber returned to his side and he couldn't help but smirk at the hypocrisy of it all. Show Biz really was like a carnival mirror. You look in at all the lovely people on the TV and imagine how it would feel to be perfect just like them. But there really isn't anything even close to perfect about any the cast members.
It was hard for Link to muster up any feelings regarding the treatment of his fellow classmates by the station heads. He and the other dancers had grown accustomed to being treated like cattle.
Practice resumed for another two hours before they were given their hour break to prepare for filming. Changing into his crisp blue suit that is guaranteed to make tongues wag, Link had to fight from cringing when the movement strained his bruised torso.
Information unknown to everyone outside of the Corny Collin's world is that bruises and sprains are a very common sight on the young Larkin.
Once he was situated and finished doing up his tie, Link checked his reflection in the mirror smirking at the strand of rebellious hair that formed a curl on his forehead. It was an imperfection that he prided himself on when there was so much pressure to be perfect.
"Stare at yourself any longer and the mirror might crack." Said a familiar voice from behind him.
Plastering on his easygoing, 'not a care in the world smile, he replied "I only do it to make you look good sweetheart!"
"Easy on the pet names, you might make your boyfriend jealous." She mocked back.
Link's smile faltered. He was caught off guard by people being so flippant about his relationship with the older male. It was on record as the biggest behind the scenes secret in the history of the station. It was times like these that he was grateful for the privacy clause.
Since it was mandatory for all members of the Corny Collin's Show to be good examples to rest of the world their entire lives were like a living, improvisation play. The few times the cast members were ever able to be themselves is when they were surrounded by co-workers only or in the privacy of their own home.
To the rest of the world he and Amber were in love. The perfect balance to each other. He was charming and she was pretty. He was grounded, she was posh. He was brunette and tan, she was blonde and pale. He was a good soul behind a wall of hairspray and she was abrasive and harsh hidden by her mother's shadow. They were both desired and untouchable to everyone.
A very odd, yet interesting, relationship developed between the pair as a result. They could be sickly sweet and fighting like cats and dogs, but they always had a comfort in knowing that they were in the same boat. They never spoke outside of their comic jabs or flirty lines but they didn't need to. They just understood everything without ever asking. They were known for simply sitting in each other's presence, never speaking a word, but always a bit happier afterwards.
They had a silent agreement that they would have one another's back. The business they were in was cruel and while they were on good terms and friendly with everyone you could never be sure someone wasn't plotting to "accidently" trip you and sprain your ankle to get your spot on the show. A couple months after Link joined the cast in his freshman year, a senior had threatened to tell one of Link's secrets that would ruin his "perfect" image, thus getting him removed from the show. Amber, who had been on set with her mother in previous years, already had dirt on everyone and rebutted that she would tell everyone that he slept with his English teacher for a passing grade.
When Link went to thank her she glared at him, shooting ice through her eyes claiming; "I didn't do it for you, this is my first year being old enough to be on the show. I plan on being the best and as my partner I expect you to do everything you can to help me accomplish that! So here's your first tip, listen to everything around you, learn everything you can about everyone; otherwise you'll be the lamb in a cage full of starved lions! Got it?" before storming off and leaving him baffled.
It turned out to be the best advice he had been given for some time. It was a dog eats dog business and like Amber, he planned on going places and this was the best way to start.
Link had learned quickly. He rose to the top of the food chain even quicker and made himself even more of a target. As months went by the others learned not to mess with him and his partner so life became a little easier. Everyone had something on everyone, but no one could say anything without getting burnt themselves. The past year and half has acted as a giant truce and that didn't seem to be changing any time soon.
"Yeah, because when we pretend to date pet names is what he's really worried about!" Link retorted, the confident 'there's nothing wrong with me' smile was back in place before anyone would know it had gone.
"ONE MINUTE!!!" yelled the warning voice of the show's producer cutting off Amber's next comment.
They turned and walked back onto the stage, hand in hand. Just before they went on air Link managed to catch Corny's eye, unable to stop the goofy grin that appeared on his face at the other man's gaze, he gave Corny his famous 'Link Wink' which had the show host smiling as well. His attention was immediately diverted back to his dance partner as the music began playing and his lover's voice started belting out the lyrics to the theme song. He easily fell into the routine of the dance he had memorized two years previously.
So the next day when he was walking with Brad down the halls, trying to explain one of Shakespeare's many plays, he had no idea what possessed him into stopping outside the detention room. He also didn't know why he told Tracy that she should come to the Hop. Sure, she was a good dancer but he could tell just by looking at her that she wouldn't be able to survive in their world.
Tracy didn't have it in her to fight dirty and he had just made what she thought were her dreams, come true.
Link didn't have time to think about this. His dad had finally passed out, glass of vodka still in hand, and Corny was going to be there to pick him up any minute. He really shouldn't be going out this late since he had to be up at four the next morning to catch the bus to the station, but he hadn't had any time alone with his boyfriend in awhile and he would take what he could get.
At the honking of a car out front Link left his home, a huge smile on his face as he disappeared into the night.
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