A Chance Encounter (Chris Hemsworth X OMC)

Cutting Loose

Chris was in absolute hell. Outwardly he was the picture of joy and ease, but the story was very different on the inside. He walked the carpet dressed in a grey suit with a beautiful young starlet on his arm and knew that everyone who watched him was already concocting the headline: Eligible bachelor, Chris Hemsworth seen at Hugo Boss event with Tara Harrington. But he didn't give damn about anyone else's opinions. All that mattered was Wyatt, who he knew was likely seeing this or would very soon.

And it's his fucking birthday, you dickhead, he thought to himself. He smiled broadly for the camera but inside he was screaming. It's your own Fucking fault. This cage is yours. You made it. And you and Wyatt get to suffer for it.

"Listen, Chris, just go to the event, play nice with the girl. It'll look good," Greg had explained in the limousine on the way to the event.

"Why do I have to have a date for this?" Chris asked.

"Because we need to make absolute certain that we maintain this image. It's more important now than ever since you came out to me," Greg explained in a tone bordering on impatient.

"Relax, Greg. Your golden goose isn't going to give the game away," Chris scoffed.

Greg looked offended and shook his head. "Excuse me, but you're a lot of people's golden goose, Chris. I'm looking out for their interests too. And yours. You like all this success and money, don't you? You like being able to provide for your family."

Chris wanted to open the partition and tell the driver to take him to Wyatt but the ball and chain of his predicament pulled him in the opposite direction.

"Look, I'm not asking you to marry the girl. Just hold hands and smile for the camera. Keep up appearances."

Chris rolled his eyes and looked out the tinted window at the group of photographers and press as they approached the venue.

"Chris, forgive me for being blunt here. But People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive can't be gay. The face of Hugo Boss can't be gay. Fucking Thor can't be gay. Okay?"

Chris looked away from the window and directly into his eyes. "Well, he is."

"Be whatever you want to be behind closed doors, Chris. But I'm telling you- if the rest of the world finds out that Thor is a fag it's over for you."

Chris was appalled by what Greg had just said. His fist clenched in preparation to hit him.

"People already don't really take you very seriously as it is, Chris. Let's be real. They look at you and see a hot man. Yeah, you've got talent. You're funny, charismatic. But you wouldn't be where you are if it weren't for your looks and body. You know that. And it all comes down to the rest of the world seeing you as a certain type of man. So. Be that type of man or risk losing it all."

Chris took one last look at Greg as their limo pulled up near another one.

"Go and escort the pretty girl out of her limo. Smile for the cameras. Play up the ladies' man act. Keep up appearances."

Chris shook his head.

"You can do it," he said in a condescending tone. "It's called acting Chris."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Miley asked as they arrived at Rodeo- one of the biggest gay clubs in the area. "I mean, Chris did say he'd be around later."

"Yup," Wyatt grunted. "I'm doing this."

"I can't believe I'm trying to be the voice of reason right now," Miley scoffed. "But are you totally sure? I know you're hurting right now."