Thank you so much to .:=Miss-Gah-gah=:. for the wonderful banner ^3^

Authors notes: Ever since the SOSW incident I've been so careful about trying to get original ideas for fear of upsetting people. I looked and didn't find anything like this but I could have missed and I'm sorry if I did. Fingers crossed this is original X^^X

Thank you to the awesome DA people for helping me pick this idea. ^3^ And so mega thanks to my lovely beta DLB ^3^

I don't own any characters, plot is my own

*~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~*

Everyone's shallow.

Sorry but that's a fact of life.

You're shallow. He's shallow. They're shallow.

Maybe you don't realize it or maybe you hide it better than other people. But there will always be that one person, that one defect that will make you uncomfortable. Maybe you'll sit and smile but in your mind will reel judgmental thoughts.

Maybe the person is ugly or they dress and act differently. Maybe it's something much more obvious, but at some point everyone does it.

Chester Bennington never had to deal with others thinking anything bad of him.

When he was born there were no concerns that he was too chubby.

When he hit puberty, acne seemed to stay away from him.

When he reached his twenties, he had a constant gaggle of girls flocking themselves at his feet. Why?

Because one word describes Chester Bennington: Perfect!

It came as no shock to those that knew him, or at some point in their lives even seen him that by the age of 24 Chester was strolling along the catwalks of Milan. It was no surprise that for the last few years, ever since his agent Robert Bourdon found him, that Chester Bennington had won Best Male Model consecutively.

The moment a magazine managed to get the incredible beauty on their cover sales would soar. Everyone loved him. Everyone was astounded by his beauty. Except one person.

"In other news world-sensational model Chester Bennington has spoken to media that he has plans of styling his own brand of clothing labeled 'Ve'cel'..."

Click!

The large TV switched off and Chester rested back on his couch, throwing his feet from the soft, cream carpet. He shut his eyes and groaned loudly.

There is a reason the famed model has only one mirror located in his home which is stowed away in his main bathroom. Chester Bennington is sick of himself.

He was sick of seeing his own mug gazing out from every TV set, every magazine on the shelf and even tee shirts. He sighed and threw his left arm limply over his eyes as he drift in and out of tired consciousness.

His right hand stroked the skin of his stomach underneath his tee shirt. He cringed when he felt the bumps of his ribs along his torso. He had gained two pounds since his last weigh in and none of his sponsors had not been impressed. He had been on a strict contract with the modeling agency to stay under a certain weight, which he was becoming dangerously close to. If he was to go over that, the bastards could sue him for breech of contract.

Chester sighed as the flat of his palm spread along the ridges of his ribs. How did people find this attractive? Chester wanted so much to gain some weight. He wanted to eat pizza and tone up, get some muscles on his arms and rid his body of the bones that protruded from it.

Chester felt tired and shut his eyes. He was keen to fall into sleep when he heard footsteps rushing his way. Opening one eye he saw Rob leaning over him. He bit his lip when he saw the half eaten powered doughnut in his agent’s hand.

"Guess who I just got off the phone with." Rob grinned madly. Chester shrugged.

"Dunno...who?"

"Joseph Hahn!" Rob stated excitedly. "As in the biggest director this side of Hollywood." Chester moaned. He was too tired to care. "And guess who he wants to cameo in his new movie?" Chester groaned.

"I dunno...Britney Spears?" Rob hit him.

"Seriously man, this is a great opportunity. Think about it. One cameo may lead to a full part and next thing you're a movie star." Chester turned away. He couldn't stop looking at the pastry, and the temptation was strong. "Listen dude, this could open up so many doors for us."

Chester spun around. "Us? Us!?" He glared at Rob and turned into the white leather settee, sulking. Rob sighed and threw his eyes to heaven.

He recalled when Chester's diva outbursts were just a joke between the two of them but lately they had been more than real.

"Listen man, is this ‘cause you can't get any pussy? ...Or you know...whatever it is you can't get?" Chester glared over his shoulder, wishing Rob would die on the spot. He had told his friend that he was gay in confidence. It was to be a secret because if it got out, the only jobs he'd be getting would be for men magazines. The very magazines he kept under his bed, and he didn't want to have to see his face in there too.

Chester was going to snap at Rob, but he saw the tired look in his agent’s eyes and sighed.

"It's just...I can't...you know..." Chester didn't know what to say as he sat up. "I cant sleep with anyone ‘cause they'd blab and it'd be all over the world within minutes that I'm gay and even then..." Chester sighed and looked to Rob with wide eyes. "I'm sick of being treated like this prize bull. Both guys and women are always 'Oh you're so beautiful' and 'Oh you're so amazing' and they don't even know me. I'm sick of all this shallow behavior and even if I could find a guy who'll keep it quiet, he'd probably be shallow too and I couldn't stand that!"

Rob smiled and ran his fingers through his friend’s black hair. He ruffled the spikes slightly and Chester sighed, looking down at his feet.

"It's ok, dude." Was all Rob could manage. He couldn't really relate to Chester. He was married and content being so. He got laid a lot and didn't know how frustrated it could be not to have sex for a long time.

"No, it's not man. I haven't had sex in seven months, and that was a chick so it doesn't count." Rob leaned on the back of the couch as Chester reached to his coffee table and picked up some cigarettes.

Rob refused a cig as Chester lit up.

"Why don't you try women again, man? I swear back in New York last week Talinda Bently totally wanted to suck your cock." Chester shrugged. Sure, Talinda was beautiful, funny, and a lovely person, but he didn't feel anything at all towards her. He preferred them with no breasts and chest hair. Dicks over Chicks. He'd literally pick Bro's before Ho's.

"I tried it, Rob. I really did, but..."

"Nothing compares to having a dick shoved up your ass?" Rob let the words slip out then shut his eyes. "Fuck, I can not believe I just said that." A genuine laugh escaped Chester's lips as he puffed on his cigarettes. Rob rested a hand on his shoulder. "Listen man. You take this movie deal, and I'll fuck you." Chester looked up to Rob and raised an eyebrow. He snubbed out his cigarette and reached out to grab the youth to bring him closer.

"Fine, you'll do." He said, pressing his lips against Rob’s, whose eyes shot open. He pulled himself back so forcefully that he fell on the ground.

"Dude, I was fucking joking!!" He cried out as Chester smiled and leaned back on the couch. Rob felt the red tinge his cheeks. Rebecca would kill him if she found out. Silently he cursed his friend’s sick sense of humor, and wanted nothing more than to hit Chester as he laughed to himself. But he had to hold himself back. Chester's face was keeping them both in business and even though they had been friends longer than business partners, the money was important.

Chester rubbed the threatening sleep out of his eyes. He had to stay awake. He was modeling on a public catwalk as a special guest in OC tonight and would have to get there in an hour for make-up and preparation.

"How about this dude?" Rob sighed. "I'll rig the scales next weigh in and we can go right now and get pizza before this show if you'll do the cameo." Chester gazed up at Rob with wide eyes.

"Seriously?" Rob nodded. "You're actually serious?" Again a nod. Chester flung himself forward and gripped his friend tightly. "Dude, you are the best ever!!" He cried, kissing his cheek and making Rob cringe. "No offense, but pizza's better than sex with you any day."

"Glad to hear it." Rob sighed, rubbing his cheek. "Now get your coat and let’s go."

*~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~*

Chester had been unable to get over how amazing that pizza was. Rob complained it was cold and soggy, but Chester didn't give a fuck. He gnawed on the ham, pineapple and red onion as if his life depended on it. He even felt fatter later on, but far from guilty. More so satisfied.

He was currently having light makeup applied. A number of novice models had approached him and spoken to him.

'You're so beautiful you know that?'

'It's been said.'

Now Rob was jogging over to him as he spoke to someone on his cell which was clipped onto his ear.

"Rebecca, I'm sorry...I'll make it up for you later...no, I didn't mean like that...I do not only think about sex!...Ok, how about a meal? I'll take you to your favorite restaurant...ok...I'll see you then...Love you too and...well, could you wear the red dress?...you know, the one with the thin straps...ok, fine it is the low cut one...heh, heh...love you too babe." He hung up and looked to Chester who had an eyebrow raised.

"That sounded...interesting." Chester smiled as the woman applied eyeliner to his lashes. Rob sighed and rested his head in his hand.

"I forgot her birthday. I'm such an ass." Chester shrugged.

"Yeah, you are." He simply stated, trying not to blink too much.

"Anyway, I thought you should know there's lots of camera's out there." Chester laughed lightly.

"Rob, there's always cameras out there."

"No, I mean like 'camera' cameras. You know that Janis Dickinson modeling agency? Well some of the models from their last season are on the catwalk, and they want a catch-up for the next season. They'll more than likely want to mention that they're modeling with you so they might ask for a few words." Chester shrugged.

"Ok, I don't mind." Rob smiled. Chester had cheered up since the pizza, which was their little secret. He was smiling a lot and back to his normal self.

"Anyway, your clothes were just brought to the dressing room, there's a lot of them so I'll leave you to it." Rob smiled, waving to his friend and client and walking away.

+

Brad Delson was talking animatedly as he held his friend's hand, maneuvering them through the impressive crowd that gathered along the strip of road, which had been closed off for the outdoor fashion show.

"Brad..." Mike Shinoda called out as his friend tugged the arm out of his socket. That was definitely the thirtieth person who has bumped into him. "...Jesus I should have brought Judy."

"She'd get lost, Mike." Brad informed his friend, making sure not to lose him.

"Yeah, well, you're a shit guide dog." Mike called, agitated at the amount of people shamelessly banging into him. He had brought his sunglasses despite it being dark. He just didn't want people to be thinking anything of him. Just because Michael Shinoda couldn't see, he could still tell when people were giving him odd looks.

Brad stopped and allowed his friend to stand beside him. He still held onto his hand.

"I'm sorry man. I don't want to lose you. There are a lot of people around here." Mike sighed.

"No. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped." Brad sighed and looked to his friend. Mike had always been so understanding and kind to everyone. He was the kind of person who apologized if you hit him. Even after the accident a few years ago, he hadn't lost that aspect of his personality. Never once had he taken out his ailment on others, but it changed him in other ways.

Since becoming blind, Mike had been left more vulnerable than ever and depended on people a lot, which used to be something he hated. Over time he began to get more and more distant from his friends and stayed in a lot more. Brad just wanted to get him out for a few hours.

"I don't want to be here, Brad." Mike sighed as Brad began to navigate him through the crowd again.

"Aw c'mon, Mike. It'll be an experience." Brad replied.

"Look, I know I'm gay but a fashion show?" Brad laughed.

"There's that model, Chester Bennington." He replied to his ailed friend. "I hear he's beautiful."

"Yeah, and I could totally appreciate that perfect example of visual beauty!" Mike called sarcastically. Brad more so forced a laugh. Only within the last year had Mike become comfortable enough to talk about being blind. He used to try act as if that didn't matter, but over time everyone realized that Mike would never be the same again. It had been life altering, and it took Mike longer than everyone else to accept this.

"Do you miss it?" Brad asked as he found some seats in the audience only three rows from the raised catwalk.

"Miss what?" Mike asked. "Judy? Sure as hell! Like I said you're a shit guide dog." Brad laughed and looked to his friend.

"You know what I mean, Mike." Mike sighed and fixed his sunglasses, which felt a little too low down on his nose.

"I miss kicking your ass at video games." Mike smiled. "Ok...I used to, but...I don't know. Over time I just sort of stopped minding. I don't really think there’s anything I absolutely have to see, you know. I'm content with this. It's the way I am and I've stopped feeling sorry for myself and jealous of others." Brad stopped. He never realized Mike had been jealous. "But I would really like to see your afro." He laughed lightly. "Back in high school it was only a fro and I'm curious as to what it looks like now."

Slowly, Mike raised a hand and felt the fluff of hair. Brad smiled as his friend fingered his dark curls. Before he would help Mike by leading his hand to his mop of curls, but he understood Mike wanted to feel normal and not have everyone do everything, so he let his friend stretch out himself.

"It's fluffy." Mike smiled, taking his hand away. He rested it on his lap and lowered his head. He imagined it look like he was just gazing at his hands. All he could see was black. He couldn't distinguish between day and night or anything. It was sad, but over the last few years since the accident he had come to terms with it.

Mike allowed his thoughts to wander for a few minutes and a smile crossed his lips. Brad was gazing at him with curiosity.

"What's so funny?" He asked as Mike grinned.

"I was just thinking what would it be like if fashion shows had audio description." Mike smiled. "Models walks like they have stick up their arse. Model twirls. Model gets picked up by gust of wind because she is one stone weight." Brad laughed genuinely as his friend spoke, but the music started and a representative of the clothing line marched up along the catwalk. "What's going on?" Mike asked, hand reaching out for Brad.

"It's started." Brad answered. Raising his arm to Mike's hand, but letting him find it so that he could at least think he had independence.

*~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~*

Chester was glad when the show was finished. He had been modeling spring clothing with shorts and short-sleeved tee shirts, but the nighttime ocean breeze made the night a little chilly so he had been uncomfortable while strutting his stuff.

Rob told him he looked like an ass out there, then laughed. Chester laughed too before he was mobbed with the clothing reps and random people who had to tell him how amazing he was, and how beautiful he looked out there. Uncomfortable, he smiled and thanked them before he was pulled away by a woman in a red shirt with headphones.

"We just want to get some quotes for the TV program." She informed him. She was from the Janice Dickinson program. Apparently Janice was out there somewhere, but Chester didn't particularly care. The last time she had spoken to him, he would have preferred having someone aim a gun into his mouth. She had been so full of herself and shallow. He didn't like false people.

"Sure, whatever." He told the woman as she brought him out to where the crowd was. They wanted the shot to be on front of the catwalk. Many people tried to stop Chester and talk. He heard a few flattering cries from women in the audience. He sighed when he hear 'You're Sexy' being screamed at him. Whoever she was she didn't fucking know him so what did it matter if he was sexy?

"Ok, just stand here." The woman placed him on front of a camera and handed him a sheet. "Just read from the sheet." Chester opened it to see writing on it.

"Wait, I don't get to say what I think?" He called to the woman. "I have to say what you say?" She nodded and left him to read. After a moment he was asked if he knew it. He nodded and the camera started.

"Chester, what did you think of the models?"

"I thought the models were amazing." Chester recited, nodding as if he really agreed. "I think they were very composed and obviously the agency did a lot for them. I'm jealous. Going to an agency like that would really help further your career. I wish I got to go."

"Done!" The woman stated as the cameras red light flashed. "Thanks very much, Chester." She indicated for the male to follow her with his camera. Chester watched her run away, but a strange hand gripped his and he turned to face Janice.

"Chester!" She smiled, air kissing him. "Darling, you were amazing and you looked fantastic."

"Thanks." Chester stated through gritted teeth. "You look...good too." She scoffed and brushed the hair from her face.

"I know. It's a Vivian gown. I adore it." She stated, indicating to her dress. Chester nodded politely and looked behind him.

"Well...I have to go. Rob wants me to...well he has another job for me."

"Ok, darling. Lovely to see you again." She stated, air kissing him again and rushing off. Chester was gazing at her to ensure she left. Janice maneuvered through the chairs in a hurry. She hit off a lonely male and snapped at him to watch where he was going before she rushed off.

Chester noticed that the male had dropped his sunglasses. The youth slowly bent to his knees and ran his hand along the ground trying to find them. He seemed to be having difficulty ,and Chester thought he couldn't see them in the darkness. He jogged over and picked up the dark spectacles.

"Here." He smiled, holding them out towards the youth. He saw the males face turn in his direction and also saw his hand outstretch. He seemed to be missing where Chester was holding the glasses out to him.

"Thank you." The youth said, still not able to grab the glasses. Chester leaned closer. His eyes suddenly connected with the youths and he noticed how they seemed to stare right through him. Suddenly he realized.

This guy was blind.

"Sorry." Chester stated, slowly placing the glasses into the males hand. The youth blushed madly and murmured thanks as he put on the glasses slowly so not to miss his nose.

"Thanks again." Mike smiled. He couldn't see the male, but his voice sounded young. Still, he could sense that look, pitying. He hated it.

"I-it's ok." Chester stuttered. He was unaware that he had moved closer to the youth, trying to see his eyes, which were now hidden behind the sunglasses. "Err...I'm sorry but...are you..."

"Blind?" Mike retorted. "Yup, pretty much." Chester bit back a laugh.

"Actually, I was going to ask are you aware that your fly is open." Chester smiled as the youth blushed.

"R-really?" He stated, hands flinging to his trousers and zipper, which was indeed opened. "Shit! I'm sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it." Chester looked at the youth. He was actually pretty cute. Lightly tanned skin, muscular frame, and black hair with red tips. "What's your name?" He asked.

"Mike." The youth replied. "You?"

"Chester."

"Chester?" The model cringed, waiting for recognition. "Hey, there's a model here called Chester too right?" Chaz bit back a laugh as Mike replied.

"Y-yeah, there is. I hear he's a real ass." Mike's eyebrows raised.

"Really? I don't know. All I've heard is that he's beautiful." Chester cringed, even a blind guy knew it. "But I mean you could be right. What use is beauty if you're a dick? For all we know he's a pig, where will looks get him then?" Chester couldn't help but laugh loudly, and he saw Mike's eyebrow raised. "Did I say something funny?"

"Yeah." Chester smiled, running a hand through his hair. He could see the smile on Mike's lips.

Mike could feel the smile on his face, and the odd chuckle from this guy. Chester told him he was smiling too. He wondered what the male looked like. Was he tall? Thin? Cute? He wanted to stretch out and feel his features to obtain a mental picture, but that was far too forward. He was content with a simple chat. Over time he had grown used to people shying away from talking to him or finding holding a conversation awkward. With Chester, that didn't seem to be the case.

"So, you here with someone?" Chester asked, trying to maintain a chat with the male. He guessed he liked talking to Mike because the male wasn't prone to showering him with false, shallow compliments.

"Yeah, my friend Brad, but he had to make a phone call." Mike smiled. "I ran out of credit and he didn't have his cell so he's somewhere close by at a payphone, I think." Chester nodded, forgetting Mike couldn't see him. The youth continued. "He wanted me to wait here. I can't really get around that well." Chester smiled.

"Well, if you want some help..."

"Thanks, but no thanks!" Mike smiled. "I...I'm fine, honestly. I'm just going to wait here. I'm pretty tired and just want to get home ,and I'm guessing that looking for Brad wouldn't be a great option considering if I can't find him then I'm screwed." Chester smiled.

"Ok. I understand. You wouldn't want to be sneaking off with a stranger huh?" Mike laughed and a cold wind whipped along his face. He could feel the ocean spray on his skin. Sometimes he missed seeing the ocean. Brad would take him there. He could smell the salt air, hear the loud crashing of the waves and feel the cool liquid whip along his ankles, but he'd never see it.

"I think I could get kidnapped, or worse." Mike smiled. "You seem pretty cool."

"Thanks." Chester grinned as he saw a male with an afro draw close to them. Brad placed a hand on his blind friend’s shoulder and gazed at Chester with parted lips.

"You're Chester Bennington!" He stated suddenly, feeling Mike's muscles flex under his hand.

"Chester...Bennington?" Mike asked, recognizing the name as the model. Chester sighed and looked to his feet.

"Yeah...that's me." He confirmed. Mike laughed loudly and slowly extended his arm. He felt it come in contact with something clothed. With further inspection, he realized that it was Chester's shoulder. He was glad he found the right spot.

"So, you're the ass?" Mike smiled. "Ahh...well I don't think you're that bad." Chester smiled and looked up as Mike's hand came in contact with his arm.

"Thanks." He smiled meekly, looking back up to the black haired male and smiled. Brad was looking a bit star shocked, but Mike's expression hadn't changed. He had a roughish grin on his lips. Chester tried not to look at Brad. It was the same look he had gotten so many times before.

'Hey you're the guy off the magazine!'

'Oh my god you're Chester Bennington!'

"Wow...I can't believe I'm meeting someone famous!" Brad smiled, shaking Chester's hand. Chester simply grimaced and shrugged. He had run out of responses to such statements. Brad smiled and nodded to him before turning to Mike. His hand was still on the youth's shoulder. "Mike, we have to head out."

"Oh, ok." Mike sighed and patted Chester’s shoulder. "It was nice talking to you, Chester."

"You, too!" Chester grinned. Strangely he felt his heart drop as Brad tried to move away. "Err, Mike!" He called out. Mike looked over his shoulder despite not being able to tell what he was looking at. Chester saw how he seemed to be looking just a little to his left. "Do you think...I dunno, maybe we could swap numbers? Maybe, you know text?" Mike smiled, a little too broadly.

"Yeah, sure." Slowly he slid from Brad grasp. He could feel his friend gaze at him as he struggled to find his cell. He took it out and handed it to Chester to type in the number. Chester noticed the brail that covered the numbers.

"Cool cell." He smiled, inputting his number. Mike grinned.

"Well it helps. Err...do you mind not texting?" Mike asked. "I...I can't read them." Chester blushed, forgetting Mike's predicament.

"Oh, ok." He smiled. "I prefer talking anyway."

"Great!" Mike smiled, feeling Chester's place the phone in his hand. He smiled and told Chester his number.

"I'll call you!" Chester promised as Brad insisted it was late. Mike turned away and allowed his friend to lead him away. His heart was light as he realized that maybe Brad bringing him here wasn't such a bad idea.

*~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~*

Authors notes: I wonder if I say this is a one shot will I get more comments. No kidding, I get 10+ for one shots and only about 6/7 for continuations X3

Thank you to the amazing Roses4tragidy for allowing me to put her picture up. I asked could I because I thought something about it that kinda showed the idea of the story. Thanks again to her, she's amazing!!

Next Chapter: "Shh!" Chester hushed him. "I'm in disguise." Mike's eyebrow cocked. He was unable to see the youth in long jeans, baggy, black hoodie pulled up and sunglasses. "Don't say my name ok?" Mike smiled slightly.

"Ok...Steve." A short laugh escaped Chester and he waved over a waitress to order some coffee. She smiled and went back inside for his order. He liked this. Sitting outside, laughing and no one coming up to bother him about who he was.

So please R/R, it'd mean the world!