Chapter Text
Two has always been very fascinated by reality TV. Their parents would play it on the television when they were younger and they grew up with it their whole life. These moments inspired them to become a reality TV show host.
They spent the first half of school years in broadcasting and the other half in theater. They did the same thing for 6 years in college. So it was really no surprise when they received the email that they would be hosting a new show that was in the making: Battle for Dream Island.
They were absolutely ecstatic. Their own reality show? To host all by themself? Well…that’s what they thought at first. It turned out they’d be having a co-host. Their producer claimed that it was because of “budget cuts”. That was fine for them. They were all for teamwork and making new friends. They were going to meet up with their new co-host for a meeting about the show next week so they could get to know each other better.
“Wait wait wait” Two was interrupted by their friend Eight as they were ranting to him about the show. “Budget cuts?”
Two raised a brow at them. “Yeah?”
“That’s….sketchy” Eight narrowed his eyes and looked off to the side. Both of them were just sitting and talking at Eight’s house, which they did very frequently. “What could he possibly be spending the money on that he can’t have just one host for his show.”
He referred to Announcer, the executive producer for the show and the one who got Two the job. As well as this co-host who they haven’t met yet.
Two shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s a reality show. I’m sure the budget for it was high and he would need more than one host to raise the money for it. And there’s like 50 contestants. I’m kind of relieved that I wouldn’t have to watch over all of them all on my own.”
“I don’t think that makes a lot of sense.”
“It’ll be fine,” Two rolled their eyes before having a sip of coffee that they had sitting on the table next to them.
Sketchy? Was it that sketchy? Nah. Of course not. They shouldn’t be thinking this way. Hosting this show is their dream. They were gonna meet him soon anyways so that’s where they can determine if he’s really a sketchy guy or not. They were also going to meet their co-host, which they could not wait for.
They were excited. But also kind of nervous at the same time. More scared to have to go through a “I told you so” experience with Eight. But it’ll be fine. They have to think positively.
The next week, Two made their way to the studio where the show was being filmed. None of the contestants were there yet. The show doesn’t start for another month. So everyone in the studio at the moment were writers, producers, directors, and all those kind of stuff.
They looked around until they spotted a short man with a dark grey blazer. Standing in front of him was a person about their height with blue hair and a blue sweater. Next to the blue one was a shorter person with yellow hair.
The one in the grey blazer saw Two and waved them over. They didn’t exactly know why they were waving at them so excitedly but decided to walk over there anyway. The blue one turned their head to look at them. And honestly, they didn’t look all too happy. He had his arms crossed and had his eyes narrowing at Two.
Two walked up to the three of them and the grey blazer shook their hand. “Two! So great to finally meet you! I’m Announcer.”
Oh that made sense. “It’s good to meet you too Mr. Announcer! I’m Two! Though I’m sure you knew that already,” their voice trails off slightly and they chuckle a little realizing they may have been talking too much. They turned to look at the blue haired, whose expression had not changed for a single moment.
The yellow one next to him reached out and grabbed Two’s hand, shaking it up and down rapidly. “It’s good to see you Two! I’m X and this is my sibling, Four. I don’t really have anything to do with the show I’m just here because Four didn’t want to go alone.”
Four’s eyes widened a little and their cheeks grew pink from embarrassment. They softly kicked X in the shin. Two could hear a quietly grumbled “owwwhh” come from the little one.
“Four is going to be the second host of the show,” Announcer said. Two looked back at the blue hair. That’s when they really got a good look at him. Their hair was so messy that it looked like they just got out of bed. They had light eye bags under their eyes. And, probably the part that worried Two the most, he had not smiled once since they got there.
“Oh! Well…it’s very nice to meet you, Four. I can’t wait to work with you!” They let out their hand for him to shake it. He kept his arms crossed and just narrowed his eyes at them. Two kept their arm there for a while before clearing their throat nervously and putting their hand back to their side. This was gonna be difficult.
This guy didn’t seem to be showing any type of emotion at all. Just a blank expression. Not even. He actually looked kinda mad. Even worse. Was he seriously going to be like this the whole time? Just great.
A phone rang and Announcer grabbed his phone out of his pocket. “I gotta take this,” he said already starting to leave. “You guys stay and chit chat. Get to know each other better.” He answered the phone and immediately ran off.
Now it’s just Two and these two siblings who seemed to be polar opposites. X looked genuinely excited even though he wasn’t even on the show. And they’ve already analyzed Four enough to know enough about them. No but seriously what were they supposed to say to them now.
“Soooo,” they started, trying to sound as least awkward as possible (and failing miserably). “Are you excited to be apart of the show?”
They asked, more to Four than X. But she answered anyways. “Oh yeah! Though I’m not apart of it. But I’d love to see Four on TV. Oh and you too. I’m excited for you both!” She rambled on with the most enthusiasm that Two has probably seen on anyone. “What about you, Four?” They asked their sibling.
He just kept staring at them with such an angered look. It was genuinely starting to scare them a little. When they didn’t answer the question, X nudged on their arm. His eyes widened for a moment and they blinked as if they had been lost in thought and were snapped out of it when they were nudged. He just shrugged and looked off to the side.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” he mumbled at almost a whisper before walking off. Two tried listening the best they could to his voice but it was so low they could barely hear what he sounded like. They did catch some raspiness in it though.
Two and X both watched him walk off towards what was definitely not the bathroom. Two scoffed. “What’s his deal?” They asked in a mumbled tone but not in so much of a volume that they wanted to be heard.
They didn’t really go a good job at it though. “They can be a bit hard headed at times,” X answered. “Or a lot of time. Hosting a show was his dream. But when they found out that they had to host it with someone else they were pissed off. They don’t like doing things they like with someone else unless it’s someone he’s close to.”
They turned back to look at Four. He walked out of the building and sat down on the sidewalk. Two frowned. “I never meant to upset him. I don’t control the casting you know. I-“
X interrupted them. “You don’t have to apologize. Just give him some time and they’ll warm up to you. Honestly, you seem like someone that he could be good friends with.” That did make Two smile. They don’t want to work with someone who doesn’t want to work with them.
If they can get closer with Four then maybe this wouldn’t be so hard for them. Both of them.