Rating: T
Genre: Modern/Non-Magical AU, Fake Dating
Summary: She needs a leg up in the industry. He needs a softer image.
A/N: In jest, averbaldumpingground challenged me to write all 20 prompts from a fake dating list. Well, joke's on my friend, I accepted the challenge. I'm doing 500-word ficlets for each, using different fandoms/ships.
10. "If you want this to work out, you eventually have to suck up and hold my hand."
FOR THE CAMERAS
Alina tries not to fidget as she sits across from the acclaimed Aleksander Morozov in the limousine. She's had the fortune, good and bad, of meeting some celebrities in her budding career. Of seeing that public mask fractured, revealing a rather normal person beneath. But he is different. In their brief interactions, she's discovered that his onscreen persona is less than who he really is. Less intense. Less mystifying.
Saints, those eyes. Unblinking, obsidian blades cutting straight into her soul.
"Don't be nervous," he says. "I have every confidence that you'll put on a stellar performance."
She gives him a weak smile in return. She knows he intends to be reassuring, but his very presence is dense, almost crushing.
How had she let Genya talk her into this arrangement? A high profile—but fake—relationship with the world's most famous actor. It's supposed to give Alina the publicity she needs to attract the attention of the bigger studios. For Aleksander, it's meant to, well, humanize his image. Especially after recent leaks about his demanding nature on set. Not abuse, but a relentless drive for perfection.
When they signed the contract last week, she asked why he chose her, a relative unknown in the industry. His lips curved with a ghost of a smile, his gaze turning both softer and sharper.
We are more alike than you know.
Those cryptic words have been a jittery knot in her chest since. She hasn't asked what he meant. She's too afraid of the answer. Their manufactured story is a whirlwind romance, where incognito he attended her recent production, and the longtime bachelor was enchanted by the show's star. Only minutes ago did he tell her that it's not far from the truth.
The limousine stops, and with it her heart. His bodyguard climbs out first, then it's her turn. She steps onto the red carpet to a smattering of camera flashes. The lukewarm applause turns clamorous, however, when her companion joins her. He gives his fans a reserved wave before holding his hand out to her.
She hesitates. It's a simple gesture, yet it feels as though taking it will be the line irrevocably drawn between her life before and her new life after.
Aleksander leans down and, warm breath against her ear, murmurs, "If this is to work, we'll have to act the part. You can do this."
Alina takes a deep breath and places her hand in his. He twines his long fingers with hers and brings her hand up to place a tender kiss over her knuckles. Her stomach flutters when he gives her a wide grin that appears disturbingly genuine. The flawless picture of an infatuated man.
He leads her to the photographers, pulls her to his side, and she does her best to glow for the cameras like the happy couple they're pretending to be. Chills prickle across her skin, though.
Because she's coming to understand that he is a tide, and if she's not careful, she'll drown.
~FIN~
A/N: Thank you so much for reading! If you have a moment, I'd love to hear your thoughts!