Bambi Eyed || Katya x Reader fic

Chapter 22: Owed

An escape from reality. That's what this shoot had felt like. A spark had been reignited in you, a renewed zest for life, and for art. Theo had become a fast friend and you found that almost every night, resting by the fireplace in the lounge after the others had all gone to bed, that you could tell him anything. Everything.

The last night of the shoot, you were sat there again, loaded down by blankets, warm tea in your hands. He sat in the armchair to your right, and both of you sat in a serene silence, staring into the jumping flames. He was the first to break the silence.

"Are you going to be okay?"

A mere shrug was all you could muster. Over the last few nights, you had told him that you were anxious to return home and gather your things. The only thing you absolutely knew was you needed to get out of there - for your sake, and his. Aimee was making space for you at her place, so you had somewhere to go.

"I know I'm going to hurt him with this. At least at first. But it's the right choice, isn't it?"

Theo shrugged back. "It's hard to say. Hindsight is 20/20, but foresight is an 80 year old man with astigmatism and glaucoma." This cracked a smile from you. "Whatever your heart tells you is right, is right. I believe that." You glanced at him.

A heavy sigh left you. "My heart aches. How can that be right? I love him, I don't want to leave him. I just can't keep making him suffer like that." There was a catch in your voice that drew his attention. Tears were welling up in your eyes now. "Ugh!" you groaned, scrubbing angrily at your cheeks when they started to brim. "I'm not doing this crying thing, it's stupid."

Theo paused a moment, before tossing aside his lap blanket and sliding in beside you. "It's not. It's really not stupid, [Y/N]."

Looking up at him in the eye, you found a small smile to offer him. "I like that you call me by my name. I'm really grateful to have met you."

He laughed, a soft, whispery sound. Everything about this man seemed to soothe you. "Consider it mutual. You just need to stop being so cruel to yourself. Everything you have been through lately, and you still want to put his best interests first? Putting yourself first is not the heinous, selfish thing you seem to think it is. Aht-." He preemptively stopped your protests, a hand falling to your knee. "I know you said he's been struggling, but it sounds like you guys aren't good for each other. You can love someone from a distance if it saves you both."

Nodding, your hand found his, seeking the reassurance. "Thanks, Theo. You've really been a godsend this week. I think I would have fallen apart without you."

His lips met your hair. "Any time, [Y/N], any time." You had thought it was just a friendly, reassuring gesture from a gentle man, but when Fame and Violet snuck a photo of the private moment from their doorway, it was only a matter of time until the maelstrom exploded.

Back in the city the next morning, Trixie had finally managed to coax Katya out of the apartment and to the studio for UNHhhh. The topic was originally going to be Relationships, but that felt on the nose, so instead they were going to do Social Media. The episode ran smoothly, Katya's energy was low but passable. The #wowHelpMe section posed the question of how to capture the perfect snaps for social media. Katya, the aficionado of deliberately terrible photos, took the lead. The catalyst.

"Okay," she began, she and Trixie standing on the green screen floor, "so first thing's first, you want to find the most flattering lighting." She gestured broadly. "I guess Trixie and I will have to slum it in this horrible studio lighting." The pair of queens made exaggerated disappointed expressions, scoffing and looking around. "Next, we find the most flattering, natural filter. We just want to highlight our natural beauty." She pulled up her phone, opening Instagram to look for the old lady filter she always used. The first post on her feed caught her attention however, freezing her.

Trixie seemed to realise immediately that something was amiss, poking her. "Brian." Katya's face had darkened, her hands shaking. Trixie turned to Pete. "Cut the cameras. We're done. I'm serious, cut." The others, picking up on the energy, obliged, exiting quickly. "Brian, what?"

"I'll be right back." She left in a huff, escaping up the stairs, a heavy door closing somewhere in the distance. Sighing, Trixie realised she had to clean this mess. With Fena and Pete's help, they figured out rescheduling and uploading struggle if these episodes didn't get shot today. About half an hour later, Katya reappeared in the green basement, seeming scattered. Once again, Trixie ushered the others away.

"What the fuck was that about?"

Trembling fingers, Katya turned her phone screen to Trixie, and there it was. Theo kissing you. The angle made it hard to tell whether you were kissing back or not. Violet had posted it with the caption 'Fame and Violet, bringing families together. DM for match making services ;)'.

"Brian, you don't know that's her," the taller tried to calm. One tap of a finger showed your username tagged. "It could be out of context."

Katya turned the screen back to herself, glaring. "I want his number. I know you have it. He shot one of your music videos."

Trixie was taken aback a moment. "How did you-."

"Why did you lie to me?" There was a pause. "He isn't gay. And he's got his slimy hands on Bambi. I want his number."

"I don't think a three way is the answer right now," Trixie tried to joke.

"Shut the fuck up. Give me his number. You owe me that for lying to me."

Deciding to toss the jokes, Trixie got serious. "This isn't going to help anything." Katya was clearly livid. "I'm not giving you the number." Rolling her eyes, fed up, Katya moved for her friend's phone, only for it to be snatched out of her hand. "Stop. This isn't fucking healthy."

"You owe me this. You fucking lied."

A heavy, incredulous scoff. "I owe you?" Katya nodded, reaching for the phone again. "Now I know you're bullshitting me. I owe you? What the fuck, Bri? I have been picking up the pieces of your shattered ass time and again, but I owe you for lying once to stop you from spiralling and obsessing?" Katya was too busy being mad to hear a word her friend was saying.

"Just fucking give it to me."

Trixie put a hand to Katya's chest, forcing her to look her in the eye, her face falling immediately. "You took something, didn't you?" The air went dead. "That's where you went. Right?"

"Just give me the fucking number."

Trixie's entire body felt hollow. "Look me in the eye and tell me you didn't just go and take something." She couldn't. "You're fucking kidding me. What about the show? What about the tour? What about our friendship?"

"None of that matters right now, just give me the number, Firkus."

Angry tears were building up in the empty space in Trixie's chest. "Doesn't matter." Not a question. "Fine," she continued, angry and hurt, pulling up Theo's contact and texting it to her. "Have the fucking number, dig yourself a deeper fucking hole. I won't pull you out of it again. Bambi was right."

Finally, Katya realised what she was saying. "Right about what?"

"She said you need her like your fucking drugs." The older seemed shell shocked. "You'll ruin your entire life because you aren't in love, you're just addicted to something new. She's smart to get out. I should have, since I don't matter to you."

With that, she turned, storming out and letting her tears finally, silently drip through her makeup.

Left alone in the basement, Katya was buzzing, caught somewhere between her drug-fuelled fury and the want to apologise to her friend. But when she looked down to the number sitting in her text inbox, her fury was renewed. This guy had to know he couldn't have you, she wouldn't let him.