GENRE: Gay Romance
LENGTH: 89,784 words
RATING:

Sequel to Do You Ship Us?

Jasper Reid is out, and the world knows he and Ryan are together. Surely the rumors will end, and everyone can mind their own business so the couple can have a normal relationship now, right?

Apparently not.

In the fallout of The Obsolete’s biggest performance yet, the band scrambles with their newfound freedom and control to redefine themselves both personally and musically under a new and promising manager. But with their rising fame comes frustrating and tiring challenges.

When Jasper invites Ryan to live with him, he expects their relationship will have the space and privacy it needs to grow. But with media leaks hell-bent on misrepresenting every situation, and the struggle to keep their private lives private, along with the interference of Jasper’s family and Ryan’s ex-boyfriend, it seems they are never going to get a minute of peace.

After a career opportunity takes the group by surprise and tears the newly-public couple apart, Jasper and Ryan must learn to trust one another and work through their own pasts, fears, and doubts.

Can the relationship survive the endless drama surrounding them and reach the happy ending they deserve? Or will the problems they are both learning to leave behind ruin everything they are working towards?

EXCERPT:

“Do you have any comments to your fans regarding those intimate photos we saw recently of the two of you? Much of your fan base is teenagers or pre-teens that look up to you and displays like what we’ve seen from you aren’t very appropriate for their age.”

Jasper wills himself to not roll his eyes at the question. Ryan’s hand tightens on his leg, as if reminding him to behave. Before the interview, Ryan had pleaded with Jasper to be calm and polite, even to the stupid questions. But this is surely worthy of the typical ‘no bullshit’ style response he’s known for.

“I agree,” Jasper shrugs and glances at Ryan with a smile, hoping Ryan is pleased with him shrugging off the question.

Ryan’s smile looks nervous, and rightfully so. He probably knows the difference between Jasper’s genuine smile and his shit-is-about-to-go-down smile. Though Jasper’s holding himself back for now, he’s approximately one dumb question away from giving in to his compulsive need to put people back in their places.

“So you agree it was inappropriate, but you’ve not made any apology?”

Jasper swallows back the thread of insults coming to mind as he thinks of a ‘Ryan’ way of answering the question. “I think putting cameras in anyone’s rooms and invading their privacy, then broadcasting their actions is inappropriate. Yes. What part of having our privacy invaded and our personal business spread without our knowledge are you expecting an apology for?” Jasper holds his perfect smile on his lips as he watches the man who’d asked, scramble to put together an answer.

“Next question?” Mark calls out, seeming amused by this. He’d already waved off a few questions before they’d finished being asked because he’d thought they weren’t worthy of answers. It was nice having someone trying to dispel drama for once, rather than feed it.

“Ryan, are you gay or bisexual?”

“I’m demisexual and I’m in love with Jasper. His gender is irrelevant,” Ryan says proudly. There’s something beautiful in the simplicity of Ryan’s answer that makes Jasper’s heart swoon. Hearing him tell people he loves Jasper is only part of it, but Ryan’s confidence in his sexuality is so desirable to Jasper who realizes only now, that all his own reactions to questions about his sexuality were defensive. Maybe that contentment comes with time, but Jasper wants to skip to it and be as casual and confident as Ryan is. The irony in that thought gives Jasper a soft second realization. He’d been teaching Ryan to be confident in projecting a version of himself to fans and media, and Ryan was teaching him to be confident in actually being himself.

“So have you dated men or women before?”

“As I said, I’m demisexual and gender isn’t relevant to who I feel attraction towards.” Ryan does well to maintain his composure as he speaks.

“What’s your physical relationship like?” a woman calls out.

“There’s plenty of fanfictions out there to satisfy whatever it is you want to imagine of us,” Jasper says, sipping his water to stop himself from saying anything more on the topic. The nice filter has evaporated and, like playing Russian Roulette, someone will run out of luck and cop Jasper’s frustration if these questions keep spiraling down the territory of inappropriate.

Ryan squeezes Jasper’s knee. “We won’t be answering anymore questions like this, thanks,” he says.

“Questions like what?”

“The irony in asking us to apologize for photos of us just cuddling in a bed, then following it with questions asking for personal details involving our intimate relationship, is disgusting.” Ryan’s response earns a proud smile from Jasper, who’d opened his mouth to give a less politely worded version of the same answer.

Mark intervenes, ignoring the person speaking while he approaches Jasper and Ryan at the desk. “Do you want me to end this? I can see you’re both frustrated and these questions are appalling.”

“I wanted to talk about how we fell in love, not answer invasive questions,” Ryan whispers back. “I’m really sorry I thought this would be a good idea, Jas.”

“I’m actually enjoying this,” Jasper winks at Ryan. “Give them one more chance to ask a question worth answering and then let’s get the hell out of here and enjoy the rest of the day.” He leans in to whisper in Ryan’s ear, “your last answer kinda turned me on.”

Mark turns back to the interviewers gossiping amongst themselves and making frantic notes. “Jasper and Ryan will answer one more question, as long as it’s not invasive or insinuative towards their private relationship. They’ve made it clear where the line is, so last chance, don’t waste it on a question that will be rejected.”

“Jasper, how does Ryan’s anxiety affect your relationship? It must be nice knowing someone is so in love with you they don’t feel worthy.”

“Wow.” Ryan shakes his head and stands up, heading out of the room, speechless in disgust. Jasper calls after him while Mark walks into the middle of the room with his hands up. “That’s it, we’re done.”

“Actually, I want to answer this. This one is important to me.” Jasper gets all the attention back on him and has Ryan pausing at the door.