Title: Fix You
Rating: T (For language, and multiple sexual references)
Fandom: Riley Stavros; Zane Park (Degrassi: TNG)
Summary: Zane Park is an aspiring actor with a promising career ahead of him, the only thing that threatens it is his constant drinking. Riley Stavros is the young and rebellious bartender who finds the teen star unconscious in the bar he works at. Eventually the two find out that what they have in common is not only alcohol.

A/N: AU. What can I say? I like bending and stretching characters potential and such. I've also kind of did a role-reversal here. I like writing Zane bad-ass and Riley sensitive, it makes me giddy. :) A HUGE thank you to September In The Rain for the wonderful help she's given me! If if weren't for her, I don't think I'd have this story published. I really hope you enjoy this. P.S: Sorry the chapters so short, but I'm just warming up. More to come. xo.

Chapter One: A Fallen Star

'In other celebrity-related news, Zane Park, the nineteen year old actor from blockbuster hits such as "In The Rain" and "Nativeland", has reportedly been caught drinking underage. A source close to the young star tells us that he's been going out to clubs regularly and has been getting older, legal friends to buy him drinks. It's also said that his parents have come through with their month-long threat to send him back to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They refuse to comment, but his recent trip to LAX says otherwise. Currently, his new film "What You Mean To Me" is scheduled to hit theatres two months from now. And onto-'

Michael abruptly, shut off the television, shaking his head in disapproval. If that really were true about the kid's supposed underage drinking, then he already felt sorry for him. He glanced at his boyfriend, who was rather busy in the kitchen, whipping up a quick snack.

Riley was scheduled to work in approximately a few minutes. And his shift was a period of six hours, so he really needed the energy. Especially since he worked in such a rowdy environment - that of Kenton's Bar in downtown Toronto to be more specific.

It was the only option he had, only having attended one year of university, he needed the money to pay for the other three years. His parents, and literally almost everyone around him advised him to apply for a loan. He stubbornly refused. The main reason being that when he got out of university, he didn't want to already be swimming in debt. So he'd dedicate about 12 more months to the profession, and would have enough money for him not to worry about more until his junior year.

And surprisingly, despite all the drunks, and the occasional riots, he didn't mind the job at all. As long as he wasn't expected to break-up fights and give the boot to intoxicated barflies, he was content. Although, he would've liked less hours at night and more during the day.

"Do you think he's an alcoholic?" Michael asked curiously, walking over to his lover. Riley's eyes lifted from his sandwich. "Who?"

The blonde's face contained an expression of thoughtfulness. "Zane Park."

Stuffing the whole PB&J into his mouth, Riley shrugged. "Don't know who he is." He went on to nonchalantly construct another. Michael rolled his eyes. "Remember 'Remain'?"

It was the movie they had went to see about four months ago, and both had equally enjoyed it. So had many others, according to the rave reviews. "Yeah," came the former quarterback's reply, it was muffled due to the large pieces of breath that he had shoved into his mouth hungrily.

"He was the lead role."

"...Oh, him."

"Yes, him."

"What about him?"

Michael let out an exasperated sigh. He shouldn't have said anything, he knew that Riley had no desire for information about celebrities. But he wanted to know what he thought, because Zane Park was also reportedly gay.

"Do you reckon he's an alcoholic?"

Again, Riley moves his shoulders in a way that indicates that he doesn't know. "I can't say."

The grandfather clock of Michael's apartment chimes, reminding them that it's now eight o'clock, and the athlete has to go to work.

"Okay," he says, and wipes his crumby hands on the cloth that hangs from the rack on the wall just above the stove. Riley places a kiss on Michael's cheek and retrieves his jacket from the closet. His boyfriend of nearly two years watches wistfully as his lover departs.

"I love you," he calls out, and hears the proclaimation returned. Then, nothing more is heard except the quiet shutting of the door.

-x-

Unusually, the bar is pretty empty. Most nights, it's the exact opposite.

A fight would errupt, the tougher guys that worked there as well would put it to rest, and then more insanity would ensue. Party levels would increase, and the population would mount. Beer would become the only way of soothing angry drunks, mad only because some random person had put on a horrible song on the old styled jukebox. It was both a temporary cure, and a poison, he observed.

But now, only a few people sat scattered across the room. Their voices hardly loud enough to be heard. Another abnormality. Normally there would be very, very loud chants of lyrics, or threats, or sometimes, the two became mixed.

"I'm gonna knock your teeth down your throat!" He heard one partygoer sing one time to another. Needless to say, he nearly choked at that.

Riley now stood, stereotypically cleaning mugs like the bartender usually seen on the Simpsons. What was his name? Moe? Yeah, that was it. The boy tried to keep himself entertained by imagining the show in his head. Aside from the low quality television (that had only a bland variety of four channels) anchored on the corner of the ceiling, there was nothing to keep him from boredom.

The lack of disruption was partially relieving, but this evening, he was wishing for it. It was nearly three hours into his shift, and nothing had become of the night. It was neither good, nor bad.

As if having read his mind, a seemingly already tipsy boy came stumbling in through the door. A large crowd of people following him in. All with cameras.

"Get away fr'm me!" he slurred, and nearly fell onto the table on which he balanced himself on.

Riley quirked an eyebrow of interest. It was Zane Park, the young actor who Michael had been asking his opinions on. The only thing that gave him away was his poor attempt at a disguise. Big, dark sunglasses and a small bandana to hide his hair... or face, he didn't know. It was now on his arm. What he did know was that "Zane" appeared to be drunk, and his fanbase was not letting up.

So with an act of what seemed to be concern, Riley hopped out from behind the bar, and slowly made his way to the star.

He gently pushed the people out of his way and growled orders for them to leave. Some of them complied, but the ones who didn't were instantly shoved back - so hard they toppled over, and quickly scrambled out. He owed it to his many years of over practised football.

Although under the influence of alcohol, Zane managed to look appreciative once the bar was clear of the dirty paparazzi. Riley caught this, despite the huge sunglasses, and immediately felt himself inflate with a sudden surge of wonder. The glasses were peeled off with steady fingers, and the expression that adorned Zane's face, was so innocent that it was hard to believe that he had been drinking.

Riley stuck out his shaky hand to help the fallen boy up.

"Don't worry... I got you."