The List

The Alternative

"Arthur! Arthur! I need this horse head!" A happy shout came from across the room.

Arthur raised his head from the book he was looking over to find Antonio running across the thrift store to him. He really did have have a rubber horse head mask in his hands.

"And why would you need that?" Arthur asked, folding his arms.

"For a video!" Antonio said. He put the head on and spread his arms.

"Does this video involve sex?" Arthur replied, grinning.

"It might." Antonio took off the head and ran a hand through his messy brown hair. His green eyes were shining with mischief.

Arthur chuckled and set the book down. "I'm sure the rest of the cast will enjoy this one. Is that all you want?"

"Yup! Did you want that book?" Antonio asked, tucking the horse head under his arm.

"Maybe next time." Arthur said.

Antonio rolled his eyes and snatched the book Arthur had been looking at. "Let's go!"

"Don't buy me that!" Arthur snapped. It's not that he didn't want the book, he just didn't want to be spoiled.

"Oh, hush." Antonio said. He grabbed Arthur's hand and dragged him to the checkout.

Arthur rolled his eyes but followed. Antonio was nice to him. He had flexible hours and Arthur was able to see him more because of that. Antonio worked at... well, Arthur wasn't sure what the hell it was. It mostly consisted of loud music and half-naked people dancing in strobe-lights and fog. Sometimes, they would even have no music and the dancers just moved in slow motion. A few of the videos included sex, though it wasn't exactly porn. No genitals were shown. Maybe a nipple here and there, but everyone had at least a thong or a g-string and some nipple tassels.

Antonio did not participate in his videos. He directed them. He did everything, really. He picked the outfits and told the makeup and hair people how and what to do. And since Antonio was pretty much his own boss, Arthur could visit him whenever he wanted.

A few times, Arthur had been convinced to be an extra. Though he made sure his face was covered completely, god forbid one of his students watch the video and blackmail him. Or one of his bosses.

However, Antonio always had to be doing something. He didn't like to hang out at home or just relax and watch a movie. He had to go to the movie theater, or a drive-in. They had to relax at the park or in a cafe. Arthur found it rather cute, but he was more of a homebody.

Antonio dragged Arthur to the checkout. He handed the emotionless blond teenager behind the register the horse head and book. "Just these for you, sir?"

"Yes. And don't forget my frequent shopper card, Percy." Antonio said, retrieving his wallet from his pocket.

Arthur had half a mind to be embarrassed that not only did Antonio have a frequent shopper card to the thrift store, but he knew the employees.

Antonio may be one of the weirdest boyfriends Arthur had had, but he was glad to have him.

•

"No!" Arthur said loudly, since Antonio didn't seem to hear him the first time.

"But it's art, Arthur!" Was Antonio's answer.

"I don't care. I am not wearing the horse head!"

They were at Antonio's studio, which was really just a rented out warehouse. But no one complained about the blaring music or flashing lights at one a.m., so it suited them just fine.

Antonio was trying to get Arthur to wear the head and dance in a toga for his newest video. A couple would be going at it beside him, and Arthur was supposed to be some sex god leading the couple to an ecstasy overload. Or something. Arthur had stopped paying close attention when Antonio mentioned it would be him doing the sex god dance.

"It's just for, like, three minutes!" Antonio said, pushing the horse head closer to Arthur.

"I am not!" Arthur snapped.

"But everyone is ready!"

"Yeah!" Shouted the man who would be doing the do. "My boner won't last forever!"

"Then you be the horse!" Arthur glared at the man.

"Then you have sex with-"

"I didn't agree to have sex with him." The girl spoke up, pointing to Arthur.

"I am not having sex with anyone!" Arthur looked at Antonio then cut him off before he could speak, "Or the horse God!"

"It's a sex god, Arthur." Antonio said, a small pout falling on his features.

"I said no, Antonio." Arthur said. He began to gather his things. "I have papers to grade, now, if you'll excuse me." He gave one last smoldering look at Antonio before rushing from the building as fast as he could make look normal.

Sure, Arthur felt bad for leaving like that, but he was sick of them pressuring him into doing whatever disgusting video. He didn't judge Antonio for his job, he just didn't want to be apart of it that much. God forbid one of his students find it.

He drove him with guilt boiling in his stomach. But Antonio had a lot of other people, so he was sure that the horse sex god spot would be covered just fine.

Arthur sighed and cupped his cheek in his hand as he waited for the red light. Maybe Antonio had some other motive behind wanting to force Arthur into the outfit. Maybe Antonio thought it was kinky or something.

The blond groaned and dropped his head to the steering wheel. The impact brought forth a honk and he jumped straight up. The light turned green and he calmed himself as he drove through the intersection. He really needed to stop thinking about that sort of thing while he drove.

•

Antonio was ignoring him. Not one phone call or text message the rest of the night or today while Arthur was at work. He usually kept his phone in his desk drawer, but he had set it on a pile of papers so he could see it flash if someone happened to be getting hold of him. Nothing.

Arthur dismissed class half an hour early that day. He couldn't concentrate and didn't expect his students to. He didn't even assign homework, he was so out of it.

As soon as the room was empty, Arthur called Antonio. The phone seemed to ring forever. The dull trill echoed through Arthur's head and around the classroom. After a small eternity, it went to voice mail.

Sighing, Arthur stashed his phone away and gathered his things. Maybe he would surprise Antonio at work. Bring some goodies. He bet all the actors would like that too.

So, with new determination in his heart, Arthur set off to the grocery store.

•

Arthur entered the studio slowly. Music was blaring and lights were flashing. He slid the doors as quietly as he could, not wanting to disturb the video.

With treats in hand, Arthur walked over to the table where the food was set up. He spread out his peace offering of junk food and drinks as the music jammed on.

Finished placing out the food, Arthur moved quietly to the director's chair. Antonio sat with his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands. He was watching the scene play out before him with a scrutinizing look. Arthur smiled and touched his knee.

"What's the story behind this one?" he whispered. A man was wearing a Yoshi mask and fairy wings. He was prancing around a girl draped in silk and sparkles. Arthur was rather confused as to what was going on.

"If your trying to apologize, I don't want to hear it." Antonio said, shifting away from Arthur.

"What?" Arthur asked. Apologize? Sure he was kind of rude earlier, but if anyone should apologize it should be Antonio for trying to force him to do that crazy video.

"You humiliated me in front of everyone." Antonio said, finally looking at Arthur. "I don't want to talk to you."

"I humiliated you?" Arthur scoffed. "You were the one who wanted me to dance naked in front of a camera!"

Antonio stood. "Cut! Everyone take ten."

Arthur folded his arms as the actors filed out around them. He kept his eyes downcast, away from the accusing stares and sneers. He didn't know what Antonio told them, but he assumed it was something bad.

"You made me look like an asshole." Antonio said.

"So did you." Arthur said back.

"I was asking a favor."

"You were asking me to humiliate myself in front of everyone. Not to mention all of the internet!" Arthur snapped.

Antonio glared darkly at Arthur. "I do stuff for your work all the time. I wait on you to grade papers, I bring you lunch, the least you could do is help me for once."

Arthur threw his hands in the air. "It's hopeless."

"What? I am? This relationship? What's hopeless, Arthur?" Antonio said.

"If you're fussing over something like this, maybe it is this relationship." Arthur replied.

"Maybe it is." Antonio said, his green eyes giving off all of the hurt he was feeling.

They stood looking at each other, unsure of what to do or say next. Finally, the actors began arriving back to set, taking their places.

"You should go." Antonio said at last.

Arthur didn't reply. He turned on his heel and left quietly. He could feel their states on his back, but he didn't turn around. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

In his car, Arthur let his shoulders sag in defeat. This was probably his shortest relationship ever, as well as his most stupid to break-up ever.

Maybe he could call Antonio tonight and they could talk things out. That would be good for them.

With a sigh, Arthur started his car and left the warehouse.

•

Author's note: This was better then my phone deleted it, so now it's shorter than what it was supposed to be.

BeautifulDesertFoxLove: we have a winner!

zumie2002: sorry it wasn't as soon as you hoped.

iwillbehere09: you were right!

artistreilly421: maybe.

The Crystal Pen: the poor baby.

*DaifukuBun says: Hey, Percy.