Zack tugged at the collar of his shirt, the fabric suddenly feeling too tight.
The bright studio lights overhead made the air stifling, and the chatter of crew members setting up didn't help his rising nerves.
Sitting beside him, Kieran was the picture of calm. Dressed in a sharp blazer and jeans, he looked like he belonged there—confident, charming, and completely at ease.
"You okay?" Kieran asked, his voice low enough that only Zack could hear.
"Peachy," Zack muttered, trying to suppress the urge to bolt.
Kieran chuckled, leaning closer. "Relax. It's just a quick interview. Smile, nod, and let me handle the hard questions."
"That's easy for you to say," Zack whispered back. "You've been doing this your whole life."
Kieran's expression softened. "Hey. You've got this. Trust me."
Zack nodded reluctantly, though the knot in his stomach didn't loosen.
Why does he always look so calm? Like none of this bothers him?
And why does it feel like every time he says "trust me," I actually want to?
The host, a polished woman with a bright smile, approached them, microphone in hand. "Ready to go live?"
"Always," Kieran said smoothly, flashing her a charming grin.
Zack forced a smile, hoping it didn't look as awkward as it felt.
The countdown began, and before Zack could take another calming breath, the cameras were rolling.
"Good evening, everyone! Tonight, we're joined by the one and only Kieran Knight—and his new boyfriend, Zack Williams!"
The studio audience applauded, and Zack resisted the urge to shrink into his seat.
"Thank you for having us," Kieran said, his tone warm and engaging.
"It's such a pleasure," the host said. She turned her attention to Zack, her smile sharp but friendly.
"And Zack, welcome! This must be such a big change for you, stepping into the public eye like this."
Zack nodded, fumbling for the right words. "Yeah, it's… definitely an adjustment."
The host laughed lightly. "I can imagine! So, tell us, how did you two meet? The fans are dying to know."
Here we go. Time to stick to the script.
Don't mess this up. Don't mess this up.
Zack glanced at Kieran, silently pleading for help. Kieran picked up the cue seamlessly.
"It was kind of a chance encounter," Kieran said, his smile effortlessly charming. "We met at a party through mutual friends, and, well…" He paused, glancing at Zack with a playful smirk. "Let's just say I couldn't take my eyes off him."
The audience cooed, and Zack felt his face heat up.
The host beamed. "That's so sweet! Zack, what was your first impression of Kieran?"
Zack blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Uh, well…" He hesitated, wracking his brain for an answer that wouldn't sound ridiculous.
"I thought he was… very confident."
Kieran laughed, his hand lightly brushing Zack's. "Translation: he thought I was full of myself."
The audience laughed, and Zack relaxed slightly, grateful for Kieran's quick wit.
The interview continued smoothly, with Kieran fielding most of the questions while Zack chimed in occasionally.
But just when Zack thought they were in the clear, the host's next question made his stomach drop.
"There's been some speculation online about your relationship," she said, her tone carefully neutral.
"Some people think it's too good to be true. What do you say to those who think it's just for publicity?"
The room seemed to go silent. Zack's throat tightened, and for a moment, he couldn't breathe.
Kieran stepped in without missing a beat, his voice calm but firm. "I'd say they don't know us very well. Zack's one of the most genuine people I've ever met, and what we have is very real."
His hand settled on Zack's, a subtle gesture that sent a wave of warmth through Zack's chest.
The host smiled, sensing the tension but choosing not to press further. "Well, you certainly seem happy together. That's all that matters, right?"
"Exactly," Kieran said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
How does he do that? Just… take control of a situation like it's nothing?
The interview wrapped up soon after, and Zack let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding as they walked off set.
"You okay?" Kieran asked, his hand brushing Zack's arm.
Zack nodded, though his heart was still racing. "Thanks for… handling that."
"Always," Kieran said, his smile soft. "You're not in this alone, remember?"
Zack looked at him, the sincerity in his voice making his chest tighten.
"Yeah," Zack said quietly. "I remember."
Later that evening, as they sat together in the living room, the weight of the day's events began to sink in.
Zack stared at the flickering light of the TV, his thoughts drifting back to the interview.
"Kieran?" he said softly, breaking the silence.
"Yeah?"
"Do you ever… get tired of it? The questions, the scrutiny?"
Kieran leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "Sometimes. But it's part of the job. You learn to deal with it."
Zack hesitated, then asked the question that had been gnawing at him all day. "Did you mean it? What you said about… us?"
Kieran looked at him, his gray eyes unreadable. "Every word."
Zack's breath caught, and for a moment, neither of them said anything.
"Why?" Zack asked finally.
Kieran's smile was small but genuine. "Because you matter to me, Zack. More than you realize."
There it is again. That feeling, like the ground is shifting beneath me.
And the worst part is… I don't want it to stop.