Chapter Text
Ethan leaned in closer to the bathroom mirror and increased his smile. His lips curled up a fraction more and that was the difference.
With his head tilted slightly to the left and down, but not too much, and his eyebrows raised half as much as his lips, Ethan matched the photo on his mobile.
His hair was tied back and resting down his back, but he could picture it down and over his shoulders. The model in the photo had their hair down.
He had searched for a friendly face and scrutinised multiple images until he found one of an androgynous person that had his skin tone and hair colour.
He needed to work on his face for interviews. Gone were the days where he could stand in the background and half-hide behind one of the others.
They were on an international stage now.
Professional cameras.
Even more professional interviewers.
And a curious manager that picked up on everything.
Ethan had successfully avoided their manager all day. It had been difficult but Ethan had years of practice.
She wanted to speak with him. Alone.
Probably regarding the notes she had been making on her phone since she started the new position.
Everyone in the group loved her and she came highly recommended. She was good at her job and she would help them reach their full potential.
Maybe she was too good.
A knock on his hotel door made the smile fall from his face.
It was late. Likely the next day.
No one should be knocking on his door.
Turning his mobile screen on, Ethan saw it was half past one.
There were a few notifications, but no missed calls.
A message from Vic that included a photo of her and Thomas at some club. She had wanted him to go with them, but Ethan had plans.
An email from his mother.
And a message from a dating app he had been playing with.
Nothing that would give him a clue as to why someone was at his door.
The knocking grew louder, with the fist hitting the door faster.
Ethan was not moving from his place sat on top of the bathroom counter. His legs were folded underneath him and his knees were touching the mirror.
There was a light fixture over his head that gave just the right amount of soft light for his purposes.
He had not been alone all day and he did not want anyone’s company.
Turning away from the sound, Ethan saw his natural face looking back at him. His chest was bare, but he had a towel wrapped around his waist.
He had been sitting there long enough that even his hair was dry.
His phone lit up with a new message right after the pounding on his door stopped.
It was Damiano.
The time change did not match his horrible sleep schedule and he wanted to go for a walk. And he was worried that Ethan was not answering his door.
Opening the message, Ethan bit the inside of his lip and felt his head turn to the right twice. Leaning forward at his waist, Ethan pressed his forehead against the glass and typed.
I am out. Sorry.
Out? Where?
Sighing, Ethan wished he felt better about lying.
Someone messaged me on the app and I decided to meet them.
If you are with someone, then why are you messaging me?
Pressing his head more into the mirror, Ethan groaned as his neck and back tensed.
I’m not anymore. Goodnight.
Be safe. Goodnight.
Turning off the mobile, Ethan allowed it to fall between his legs.
He didn’t hear footsteps, but there was no more pounding at the door. Damiano could go for a walk on his own.
This was more important.
Pressing his fingers against his eyelids, Ethan sat back and remembered how his face had looked. Lowering his hands, Ethan smiled and moved his head just right.
There it was.
Perfect.
Adding a laugh to it, Ethan covered his mouth with his hand and listened to the sound bounce off the bare walls. It was too loud. And it sounded fake.
Softening the tone, Ethan tried again. That was better.
Laughing two more times, Ethan decided he was satisfied with it.
Now he just needed to remember how to do it when his heart was racing and his lungs moved too quickly.
But enough for now.
Reaching to his side, Ethan picked up the makeup brush and raised it to his face.
Starting underneath his jawline, Ethan moved it across his cheek and up toward his right eye. Savouring the tingles it left in its wake, Ethan allowed his eyes to close.
The brush had stayed in his pocket all day and it was the first thing he put into his bag as they changed over their clothes after the gig.
If Claire was missing it, she didn’t say anything to him.
Ethan did not like to steal and he was more than willing to give it back if she asked for it. Or if she seemed upset that it was missing.
However, until then, he was going to use it.
After moving it down the left side of his face, Ethan allowed it to brush against his lips.
Fuck. That felt nice.
Moving it back the other direction, Ethan felt the shiver move down his spine and he closed his eyes tighter as he sat up straighter.
He had done this before with other things, but the soft bristles had the best texture to make every nerve ending on his face react in the best way.
His free hand pressed against his chest and rubbed at the skin there until moving down his stomach.
Pressing over the towel, he ignored what was underneath it and picked up his phone.
The brush pressed against the side of his neck while he found the app message.
It was a local man that appeared quite older than who Ethan normally talked with through the service. His English was worse than Ethan’s, but his chest looked nice.
are you awake?
Ethan was proud of himself for typing with one hand.
As if he was waiting for Ethan’s reply, a response came straight through.
yes
I like you photo. Show me more?
The bristles moved down Ethan’s neck and he paused with it over his collarbone.
Asya was lying in a bed.
Naked.
His large hand was on his chest and his finger was covering his nipple in the new photo he sent Ethan.
Beatiful
Show me you
Lowering the makeup brush, Ethan angled the camera so his face was not in the frame and took a photo of his bare chest. The top of his towel was seen through the mirror and Ethan decided it was only fair to undo it for the next photo.
He had already been hard but messaging Asya had made him bold.
Ethan liked to do this. Message random people from the comfort of his own space.
He could control the narrative and how much he wanted to show.
And if he was not feeling it, he could end the conversation and find someone else to message.
Without any of the awkwardness of hooking up with someone in real life.
Show more. Want see cok
Touching himself, Ethan angled the camera and took the photo. After making sure his face was not in it, Ethan sent it quickly.
you
Ethan’s request was answered with a photo of Asya’s hand squeezing the base of his cock. He was hard. The skin of his cock had turned red as the tip glistened with a clear liquid.
Leaning his head against the mirror, Ethan imagined it was Asya’s dick in his hand and not his own. If he was brave, he would ask for his number so he could ring him and tell him what he was picturing.
But it was not that kind of night and he knew he was not going to last long.
more. Want see more
Ethan saw the message but he didn’t have the coordination to take a photo. Instead he closed his eyes and told himself Asya smelled nice. His hand was large and warm against his skin.
Asya looked taller than himself. His build more filled out. He would hold him tight.
His lips would taste sweet.
And his cock would fill his mouth.
Panting against the mirror, Ethan felt his breath bounce off the glass as he released into his hand.
Relaxing his head against the mirror, Ethan continued to move his hand up and down until it didn’t feel good anymore.
Ethan felt dizzy as he looked at the missed messages from Asya on his screen. He had continued to ask for more photos so Ethan sent him one of his messy hand.
Closing the app, Ethan hoped Asya had a nice night.
Turning his body, Ethan slowly uncrossed his legs and allowed them to dangle down. He had sat in one position too long and he needed to allow the blood to return before he attempted to walk on them.
After washing his hands, Ethan turned off the bathroom light and put on some pants before making his way to his bed.
Flashing the bedside lights, Ethan watched until his eyes were satisfied.
Lying the opposite direction, Ethan put a pillow underneath his head and bent his legs so his feet were pressing against the bed.
Starting his playlist, Ethan put his phone next to his head and raised his hand to his face.
The bristles of the brush glided over his skin and Ethan smiled as his body eased into sleep.