A Chance Encounter (Chris Hemsworth X OMC)

The End of an Era

The morning of the last day at the beach house came faster than either of them wanted it to. That morning, with his bags packed and loaded into the rental, Wyatt stood in the hallway with Chris. The mood was subdued and silent as they embraced each other.

"I wish we had one more day," Chris whispered.

"I do too."

Chris looked down into Wyatt's face and studied it, as if he were committing every detail to memory. Though both of them had spoken bravely about their relationship's future, he could feel the stirrings of doubt beginning to take root. Would Wyatt be able to handle this? Would it be too much? He decided to swallow his doubts and lean into the optimistic and carefree nature he always seemed to exude. Even if he wasn't feeling this entirely.

"I'm going to come and see you as soon as I get free," Chris promised.

"Just let me know. I'll make sure the guest room's sheets are fresh," Wyatt teased.

Chris shook his head and smiled at Wyatt's silliness. But he appreciated it. It was a kind of balm for his apprehension. And he knew it was for Wyatt too. "If I'm sleeping in the guest room then you're sleeping there too."

Wyatt lost himself in Chris's eyes and began to tumble into his own doubts. Chris was so famous, his life so full and busy. Would he still feel like Wyatt was worth being part of that after there was some distance between them?

"Hey," Chris whispered. He cupped Wyatt's face, gently lifting it. "Come back to me. Things are just getting started for us. You're going to go back to New York, where the role of a lifetime is waiting for you. I'm going to come and visit you every single time I can."

Wyatt chuckled. "I'm afraid the role of a lifetime may never happen. But I appreciate your optimism."

Chris furrowed his brow. "I don't know why I'm just now thinking of this. But what if I pulled a few strings?"

Wyatt immediately shook his head. "I appreciate the thought. I really do. But I'm not with you because of that..."

"I know. But I know how it is struggling to get a role. I know how hard it is."

"But that's part of it. It's probably what makes finally breaking through so satisfying."

"Yes," Chris agreed. "But people pull strings for each other in Hollywood all the time."

Wyatt gently put a finger to Chris's lips to silence him. "No. Our relationship isn't a stepping stone for my career. I refuse to mix business with pleasure. I want to succeed because of me, not because of who I know."

"I wouldn't feel taken advantage of or used if that's what you're afraid of. I would like that, helping you. I'd feel...I don't know...I'd feel proud of you if anything. Watching you succeed."

Wyatt felt a renewal in his faith in what they were building between them. He stood on his toes and kissed him. "I'll keep it in mind."

Chris beamed down at him. "I wish I could drive you to the airport and see you off. Hell, I wish I was going with you."

"I know. I do too."

The clock in the hallways began to chime, telling both of them it was time for Wyatt to go.

"I won't be able to look at a beach again without thinking of you," Chris said as he squeezed Wyatt against him. "Covered in seaweed and jellyfish stings."

Wyatt playfully shoved him and Chris captured his hand, pulled him close, and kissed him like his life depended on it. Wyatt clung to him and pretended that he was absorbing all of the affection and tenderness so that it could be kept with him when they were apart.

And then he was gone.

Chris stood at the window, watched the car pull away and wishing he was in it. He smiled at himself and rested his forehead against the cool glass.

"This must be what a teenager feels," he told himself. He laughed at himself and how he was finally experiencing this kind of milestone in his thirties. He pulled his phone out, disregarded his notifications, and looked at Wyatt's Instagram. In each picture he saw the goofy, carefree energy. He read each caption and saw the wit and humor. Having been in Wyatt's presence, he'd had little need to deep dive into his Instagram. Now, with Wyatt gone, he found himself looking at every post.

There were several pictures of him with his friends and family. A lot of pictures of him on vacations. He watched videos that showed some of Wyatt's performances as Apollo on The Olympians, as well as some stage performances. He watched him sing and dance and couldn't help but think that Wyatt had all the makings of a star.

It was raining when Wyatt returned to New York. The plane ride had been exhaustive but he'd been wired from his experiences over the past week. When he got home, however, he felt the immediate fatigue hit him. Shrugging off his travel clothes, he walked through the apartment and into his bathroom where he immediately got into a hot shower.

The bathroom filled with steam that spilled out into the hallway where the watcher stood. He was very still, his head tilting this way and that as he watched Wyatt through the frosted glass.

After a long week of not knowing where Wyatt was, finally seeing him return made him feel like he was back in control of the situation. Though he seethed with rage against Wyatt for eluding him, he felt an abundance of calm settling over him, dispersing the rage.

The hunter had found his prey again and he felt his mind drifting into a pleasant and meditative state. His lips formed a tight grin as he quietly pulled the cord from his pocket and took a place of ambush just outside of the bathroom.

He listened as the water was shut off and Wyatt began to dry off.

Wyatt's footfalls drew near and he took a deep breath as he lifted the length of cord.